The big news of the day isn’t that Joey “Jaws” Chestnut won the men’s round of the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest … again. That almost always happens. He’s now won 16 of the last 17 contests, and was the clear favorite coming into 2023.
The big news is that the competition went on at all.
After a nail-biting women’s competition in the morning, Mother Nature seemingly forced thousands of drenched revealers to give up their dreams of watching Chestnut take home his 16th Mustard Belt.
The contest was first delayed, then police said it was called off shortly before 1 p.m. — even though as little as 15 minutes later, it was sunny and bright outside once again. Even still, the event’s emcee, organizers and police huddled to discuss their options. The local press corps squatted under bleachers or packed into Pepper Palace to sample free hot sauce.
A bit after 2 p.m, the show had gone on. Chestnut took the stage to the sound of screaming fans. The temperature had fallen to a cool-for-this-week 80 degrees, after the rainfall.
Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo celebrate their wins in the 2023 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest on Coney Island.
Bahar Ostadan/Gothamist
Chestnut’s eyes-shut strategy was simple: He funneled two dogs into his mouth while stuffing their buns into a cup of water, pulling a soggy fistful out just in time for the next bite. A liquid resembling bun water or dog juice dribbled down his arm with impressive consistency throughout the competition.
He came in at 62 hot dogs, nowhere near his personal best of 76.
“I’m sorry guys,” he said, looking disappointed. “No good excuses. I didn’t break the record, but I will be back next year. I’m gonna find a way to do it.”
But he still took the win. Chestnut was such an overwhelming favorite that sports bettors had to risk $4,000 to win a net $100.
The late-morning women’s competition was as joy-and-nausea-inducing as ever this year, with reigning champion Miki Sudo and Japanese competitive eater Mayo…
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