Patrick Bertoletti wins Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest; Miki Sudo sets new women’s record

Although there was a ghost in attendance at the festival, that didn’t stop the winner of Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest – Patrick Bertoletti – from celebrating on Thursday.

Legendary hot dog eating contest champion Joey Chestnut, of course, did not participate after the 16-time winner signed a deal with plant-based food company Impossible Foods.

Bertoletti prevailed in the final minutes and won with 58 hot dogs in one of the closest races in recent years.

The Nathan’s Famous competition began in historic fashion with the women’s competition, where reigning champion Miki Sudo broke a women’s record by eating 51 hot dogs and buns.

She defeated second-place Mayoi Ebihara with 14 hot dogs and buns to secure her 10th title at the competition.

“We finally hit 50, guys,” Sudo told ESPN after her historic performance. “See you next year.”

Bertoletti defeated Geoffrey Esper (53) and James Webb (52) to complete the top three. According to the ESPN2 broadcast, this was Bertoletti’s first title in his ninth career appearance.

But this year’s event featured a chestnut-shaped hole. The master of chewing has won the “mustard yellow belt” 16 times and in 2021 ate a world record of 76 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes.

If Chestnut was already missing Nathan’s famous contest, he wasn’t going to let Independence Day pass without taking on a food challenge.

The 40-year-old took part in his own livestreamed showcase event, competing against four U.S. Army soldiers at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. The hot dog eating contest used only beef and raised funds for military families.

Chestnut devoured 57 hot dogs in five minutes, while the soldiers he competed against only managed a maximum of 49 in total.

“Hot dogs on the Fourth of July in front of people celebrating America – it doesn’t get better than that,” said Chestnut, a championship belt over his shoulder.

By consuming a total of 106 hot dogs, $106,000 was raised and donated to military families.

Chestnut had reportedly said he hoped to eat more hot dogs in five minutes than the winner of Nathan’s contest did in 10 minutes.

“I think 56 is doable,” he said, according to USA Today. “I would be very happy about that.”

What about next year?

The Major League Eating (MLE) organization, which oversees the world-famous event, has stressed that Chestnut is not banned from participating for life, citing his 20-year association with the league. The organization said that in order for Chestnut to return, he will have to give up contracts with brands that compete with Nathan’s.

“Joey Chestnut is an American hero. We would love nothing more than to have him compete in Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest, which he has dominated for years. We hope he returns when he’s not representing a competing brand,” MLE said in a statement.

An account under Chestnut’s name posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Tuesday that he “does not have a contract with MLE or Nathans and they are trying to change the rules of the past few years regarding other partners I can work with.”

CNN has not independently confirmed the authenticity of the X account.

CNN’s Erika Tulfo and Jacob Lev contributed reporting.

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