Miki Sudo and Joey Chestnut once again reigned supreme at Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4, 2023. Sudo ate 39 and a half hot dogs and buns to win her ninth title, while Chestnut ate 72 hot dogs and buns to break his own world record.
Sudo’s victory was her first since 2019, as she was unable to compete in 2020 and 2021 due to pregnancy. She came into the contest as the heavy favorite, and she did not disappoint. She started off strong and never looked back, eating 10 hot dogs in the first minute. She finished the contest with 39 and a half hot dogs, which was one more than her closest competitor, Michelle Lesco.
“I was really, really aware that she was going to pose a threat. The first couple minutes, I found myself watching her, which I never want to do. I never want to be distracted by the other competitors,” Sudo said to ESPN after the competition. “Watching her, I fumbled my hands. I got stuck with a big burp early on but was able to correct.
“I still have hot dog in my teeth,” Sudo added.
Chestnut’s victory was his 15th title, tying him with Takeru Kobayashi for the most all-time. He came into the contest as the defending champion, and he was determined to break his own world record of 71 hot dogs and buns. He started off slowly, but he quickly picked up the pace. He ate 26 hot dogs in the first five minutes, and he was on pace to break the record by the end of the contest. However, he slowed down in the final minutes, and he finished with 72 hot dogs and buns.
“What a roller coaster emotionally,” Chestnut told ESPN after his win. “They told us it was canceled. We weren’t sure we were going to eat today, and I’m just happy. It’s the Fourth of July and I got to eat some hot dogs and get a win.”
The 2023 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest was a thrilling event, and it was a fitting way to celebrate Independence Day. Sudo and Chestnut are two of the greatest competitive eaters in the world, and they put on a show for the ages.
MIKI SUDO EATS 39.5 HOT DOGS TO CLAIM HER NINTH NATHAN'S FAMOUS HOT DOG CONTEST‼️ pic.twitter.com/17ttquQZRY
— ESPN (@espn) July 4, 2023
THE CHAMP JOEY CHESTNUT REMAINS VICTORIOUS #nathans pic.twitter.com/kXHddGUthZ
— Major League Eating (@eatingcontest) July 4, 2023
