Hot Dog Hero Returns: Joey Chestnut wins 17th title

(NewsNation) — The top dog is back.

Joey Chestnut won his 17th Mustard Belt at the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest on Friday, devouring 70.5 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes.

The victory marks a Coney Island comeback for the legendary 41-year-old eater, who missed last year's Fourth of July contest due to a sponsorship conflict.

Friday's gut-busting triumph was never in doubt. Chestnut held an 18-dog lead at the halfway point and didn't look back.

Patrick Bertoletti, a Chicago-native who won the 2024 contest in Chestnut's absence, polished off 46.5 dogs and buns, finishing second. Australian James Webb came in third with 45.5.

When asked about his 70-dog performance, the greatest competitive eater of all time said he's not going anywhere.

"I wish I'd ate a couple more...I'll be back next year," Chestnut told a raucous crowd.

Earlier in the day, reigning champ Miki Sudo defended her pink belt in the women's competition, putting away 33 hot dogs in 10 minutes. The 39-year-old from Tampa, FL, remains undefeated and has now won the women's contest 11 times.

Chestnut and Sudo each hold the record for the most hot dogs eaten in their respective Nathan's competitions. Chestnut ate 76 hot dogs and buns in 2021, while Sudo scarfed down 51 in 2024.

The annual frank-off dates back to 1972 and takes place outside the original Nathan’s Famous restaurant on New York’s Coney Island.