Joey Chestnut

Joey Chestnut
Chestnut at Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest in 2009
Born
Joseph Christian Chestnut

(1983-11-25) November 25, 1983 (age 40)
Fulton County, Kentucky, U.S.
Alma materSan Jose State University
Occupations
Awards16x Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest Champion (2007–2014, 2016–2023)

Joseph Christian Chestnut (born November 25, 1983)[1] is an American competitive eater. As of 2024, he is ranked first in the world by Major League Eating.[2]

On July 4, 2007, Chestnut won the 92nd Annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest held at New York City. Chestnut defeated six-time defending champion Takeru "Tsunami" Kobayashi by consuming a world record 66 hot dogs and buns (HDB) in 12 minutes, after losing to Kobayashi in 2005 and 2006. Chestnut would go on to win eight consecutive titles from 2007 to 2014,[3] setting a Nathan's record of 69 HDB in 2013.[4]

Chestnut lost the 2015 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest to Matt Stonie.[5] On July 4, 2016, Chestnut regained the championship belt from Stonie by eating 70 hot dogs. Chestnut would win the title from 2016 to 2023, setting the current record in 2021 with 76 HDB.[6] On July 4, 2023, he captured his 16th and current title by eating 62 HDB.[7] He was banned from participating in the 2024 contest due to a competing sponsorship with Impossible Foods.[8][9]

  1. ^ Dickie, George (July 4, 2022). "Chestnut Goes for 14th Title in Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest". The Miami Herald. p. 9T. FULL NAME: Joseph Christian Chestnut; BIRTH DATE: Nov. 25, 1983; BIRTHPLACE: Fulton Co., Ken.
  2. ^ "Current Major League Eating world rankings". majorleagueeating.com. 2024. Retrieved June 12, 2024.
  3. ^ ESPN.com news services (July 4, 2014). "Matt Stonie beats Joey Chestnut to win Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest". ESPN. Retrieved July 17, 2015.
  4. ^ "Joey Chestnut eats 69 hot dogs". ESPN. July 4, 2013. Retrieved July 4, 2013.
  5. ^ Rogers, Katie (July 4, 2015). "Joey Chestnut, Hot Dog Eating Champ, Is Dethroned in Coney Island". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 2, 2016. Joey Chestnut, 38...
  6. ^ "Joey Chestnut sets new record at post-pandemic hot dog race". Associated Press. July 4, 2021. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  7. ^ Levenson, Eric (July 4, 2023). "Joey Chestnut eats 62 hot dogs for 16th Nathan's hot dog eating contest title, while Miki Sudo named women's champion". CNN. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference :2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).