Joey Chestnut is back. The well-known competitive eater claimed his ninth Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, which celebrated its 100-year anniversary on Monday.
The men’s competition was another intense showdown between Matt Stonie and Joey Chestnut, who are the number one and two competitive eaters in Major League Eating, respectively.
Stonie beat Chestnut in 2015, ending Chestnut’s eight-year run. The year prior, America watched as Chestnut popped the question to his longtime girlfriend on stage just before his eighth consecutive win. Chestnut and his fiancee called off the wedding shortly before last year’s July Fourth hot dog eating contest, in which he fell to Stonie. Chestnut also lost his World No. 1 ranking.
2015 was a tough year for Chestnut all-around, but he came back this year looking for redemption.
The 32-year-old reclaimed the title against Stonie, eating 70 to Stonie’s 53, and setting a new contest record. 69 was the previous record from Chestnut’s 2013 performance.
“Everything was amazing. I knew going into the contest my body was working,” he told ESPN after the contest.
“I came back stronger than ever.”
Chestnut set a new world record for hot dogs on June 28, eating 73 1/2 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes at a qualifier, which took place at Washington, D.C.’s annual barbecue battle.
He earns an annual income around $200,000 from prize money, sponsorships and public appearances according to Forbes.