Joey Chestnut says he is ready to eat his way to victory.
Photo by Dean Moses
Longtime frank-fest champion Joey Chestnut told amNewYork Metro on Monday that he has recovered from an especially “dark year” — and that he’s ready to eat his way to victory once more during Nathan’s International Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4.
One day removed from the big day, Chestnut joined fellow foodie heavyweights in Hudson Yards for the annual competition’s official weigh-in ceremony. Newcomers and veterans of the calorie-consuming contest gathered beneath the Vessel with smiles on their faces and hot dogs in their hands to promote an Independence Day tradition.
However, during the proceedings, Chestnut told amNewYork Metro that he was “ready to crack” in 2022 due to a series of tragedies and unfortunate events that culminated in a protest. Last year’s contest saw the champion wrestle a stage invader — hot dog in hand and mouth.
“I probably was nowhere near a record anyway last year,” Chestnut said, solemnly. “I had a broken leg, my mom had just passed away, my dog had died—last June was a terrible year.”
Looking ahead to this year, Chestnut said that dark cloud has evaporated, and that he feels back to his old self, stating he is happy to be happy.
“I am feeling a lot better right now. I am going to eat like a madman tomorrow,” Chestnut said Monday. “Mentally, it has been a year of recovery from ring inured and the things going on last year. So when I look back to last year, I remember how miserable I was and I am overcome with happiness that I feel so much better.”
Chestnut is not the only one looking to best his record of 78 hot dogs and buns this year. Women’s champion Miki Sudo is looking to become the first female to chow down on 50 hot dogs and buns, overcoming her record of 48.
“Last year I was really disappointed with my own number. Let’s send that 40 out of the water, past the person best of 48 and go for…
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