Competitive eating phenomenon Joey Chestnut captured his 15th title Monday in the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, an annual Independence Day tradition in New York’s Coney Island The weight warrior downed 63 hot dogs and buns in front of thousands of noisy, sun-drenched Fourth of July revelers — many shamelessly wearing Nathan’s famous Styrofoam hot dog hats. The hot dog total was well short of the record of 76 frankfurters eaten last year by Chestnut, 38, of Indiana. CONEY ISLAND HOT DOG EATING CHAMP JOEY CHESTNUT TO DEFEND HIS CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE But it was enough to easily overcome no. 2 eater Geoffrey Esper from Massachusetts, who downed 37.5 hot dogs and buns. Joey Chestnut won the men’s title at the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island on July 4, 2022. (Kerry J. Byrne/Fox News Digital) The victory was not without drama. Chestnut fought despite recently suffering a torn tendon in his right leg – and was walking around on crutches before the fight. He was also interrupted by protesters about halfway through the 10-minute swallow test. HOT DOGS: 5 LITTLE KNOWN FACTS They carried signs that read: “Exhibit the Smithfield Deathstar.” One of the men pushed Castada aside in the heat of his Herculean effort to digest. The champion responded by grabbing the man around the neck and helping pull him to the ground. He quickly went back to eating as authorities led the protesters off the stage. A person holds a sign that reads ‘Tastes like Freedom’ during the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island on July 4, 2022. (Kerry J. Byrne/Fox News Digital) “Joey was on record pace. We should have witnessed history,” first-time Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest contestant Frankie Capobianco of Boston, Mass., who otherwise enjoyed what he called ” the All-American Spectacle” for the first time. year. “This guy is completely messed up [Joey’s] momentum.” Contestants compete to see who can eat the most hot dogs during the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island on July 4, 2022. (Kerry J. Byrne/Fox News Digital) A man was arrested to the left of the contestants’ stand as the intense match continued despite the brawl. “When the barren hills and the cracked earth and the once-proud oceans drain into the sand, there will still be a monument to our existence,” George C., host of Emcee and Nathan’s Celebrity Hot Dog Eating Contest, said of reigning champion. A crowd gathers to watch Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island on July 4, 2022. (Kerry J. Byrne/Fox News Digital) “This man represents all that is eternal in the human spirit.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Miki Sudo won for the eighth time in the women’s competition by eating 40 hot dogs and buns. Valerie Solimini and Frankie Capobianco, both of Boston, joined thousands of sun-kissed revelers during the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, New York on July 4, 2022. (Kerry J. Byrne/Fox News Digital) The world’s top female eater was unable to compete last year because she was pregnant with Max, whose father is the no. Men’s Tier 3 athlete Nick Wehry. He had won seven consecutive titles from 2014 to 2021. CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER The Independence Day pageant returned Monday to its traditional location at the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues for the first time since 2019. Kerry J. Byrne is a lifestyle reporter with Fox News Digital.
