Sadly, the New Jersey Governor did not make a surprise appearance today at Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. So the stage was clear for Joey Chestnut, and he was in unprecedented form. Chestnut, from San Jose, CA, gobbled an incredible 70 wieners and buns in 10 minutes to win his ninth Nathan’s title.
He gobbled 70 hot dogs in 10 minutes to break his own record of 69 and take back the title he lost last year to Matt Stonie. This far eclipses his old rival Takeru Kobayashi, who has three Nathan’s titles. Kobayashi broke from the Major League Eating organization in 2009 in a contract dispute, and hasn’t participated in the Nathan’s contest since.