Legendary competitive eater and 16-time champ, Joey Chestnut will not be competing in this year’s Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest.
Chestnut has been the defending champion for the past 8 years and from 2007-present only lost in 2015.
Chestnut, 40, is said to be excluded from the competition due to his decision to endorse vegan hot dogs instead of Nathan’s.
Chestnut posted on X, “I was gutted to learn from the media that after 19 years I’m banned from Nathan’s July 4th Hot Dog Eating Contest. I love competing in that event, I love celebrating America with my fans all over this great country on the 4th and I have been training to defend my title.”
“To set the record straight, I do not have a contract with MLE (Major League Eating) or Nathan’s and they are looking to change the rules from past years as it relates to other partners I can work with … Sadly, this is the decision Nathan’s and Major League Eating are making, and it will deprive the great fans of the holiday’s usual joy and entertainment. To my fans, I love you and appreciate you. Rest assured that you’ll see me eating again soon…”
Chestnut is the world record holder with 76 hotdogs and buns consumed in 10 minutes, a record he has held since 2021.
By - FZ
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