One must turn to antiquity to find a champion as laureled as the Kentucky-born competitive eater Joey Chestnut. Though Hercules only overcame but 12 Labours, Chestnut, also known as “Jaws,” can now boast 13 wins of the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest.
With this latest victory, he is now the winningest athlete of a single event in modern history.
The annual 4th of July event wasn’t held along Brooklyn’s Coney Island Boardwalk thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, but enthusiasts who relish in this tradition watched a simulcast from an indoor location. Mask-wearing umpires in old-timey hats watched as the tube-steak swallowers vied for the heralded Mustard Belt.
Chestnut chomped a record 75 wieners this year, beating his own personal best of 74 from 2018. During this year’s contest he also downed his 1000th competitive dog. It is unclear what his sodium count is, and can only offer prayers for this noble warrior.
In the women’s competition Miki Sudo masticated her way into her seventh Mustard Belt win. Note her bicep-wipe after scarfing down each dog.
Joey, Miki, this one’s going out to you.
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