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A new women’s world record was set Thursday at Nathan’s annual hot dog eating contest, when Miki Sudo, a 38-year-old from Florida, ate 51 hot dogs in 10 minutes, marking the defending champion’s 10th career victory.
“I’m happy to have another year to call this my own,” she said after claiming victory.
Patrick Bertoletti won the men’s division, eating 58 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. This was his first time winning, and he became the first man to do so in 16 years, following on from Joey Chestnut.
Nathan’s Hot Dog Contest legend Joey Chestnut famously sat out the annual contest. Despite his iconic role in the contest over the past few decades, Chestnut’s sponsorship deal with Impossible Foods barred him from participating this year.
Major League Eating detailed the ban in a statement shared on social media, explaining that they were “devastated” by Chestnut’s decision to work with a plant-based rival instead of continuing their relationship with them.
“MLE and Nathan’s have made significant efforts in recent months to accommodate Joey and his management team, agreeing to an appearance fee and allowing Joey to compete in a rival, unnamed hot dog eating contest on Labor Day,” the statement said. “However, it appears that Joey and his management have prioritized a new partnership with another hot dog brand over our longstanding relationship.”
In exchange for participating in Nathan’s Fourth of July hot dog eating contest, Chestnut won a Netflix special that will stream live on Labor Day. Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished BeefFor the first time in 15 years, Chestnut will face off against longtime rival Takeru Kobayashi in a one-on-one match. The date and location of the match are yet to be determined.
On Thursday, a new record was set when Eric Badland downed a gallon of lemonade in 21 seconds. When handed the microphone, Badland let out a victory roar and cheered in celebration of his new world record.