What to Know
- Competitive eaters scarfed down dozens of hot dogs and buns Thursday at the annual Nathan's Famous July Fourth hot dog eating contest in NY
- Joey "Jaws" Chestnut ate 71 wieners and buns to secure his 12th title
- Reigning women's champion Miki Sudo had already won the women's competition by chomping down 31 hot dogs
Joey "Jaws" Chestnut ate 71 wieners and buns to secure his 12th title at Nathan's Famous annual July Fourth hot dog eating contest.
In front of a crowd of fans and facing 17 opponents, the California native came close but didn't manage to beat his own record of 74 dogs, set last year.
However, he far exceeded his nearest competitors.
Afterward, Chestnut said he was disappointed to not break his record, but planned to try again next year.
Reigning women's champion Miki Sudo had already won the women's competition by chomping down 31 hot dogs. She said she felt "wonderful" as she walked off the stage.
The 33-year-old fell short of her total last year of 37 frankfurters but earned her sixth consecutive title by easily beating runner-up Michelle Lesco, who wolfed down 26 hot dogs.
Local
Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas holds the all-time women's record of 45 hot dogs in 10 minutes.
Spectators with foam hot dog hats, plastic noisemakers and homemade signs descended on Coney Island's famed boardwalk for the contest.
"I'm super grateful for everybody who came out here to support," Sudo said.
ESPN released a documentary Tuesday featuring the rivalry between Chestnut and his longtime foe, Japan's Takeru Kobayashi, who no longer takes part in the contest.
