NEW YORK — Competitive eating stars Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo successfully defended their titles Saturday at the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island.
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Chestnut captured his 18th men’s title after eating 66 hot dogs and buns, while Sudo claimed her 12th women’s championship by consuming 38.75 hot dogs and buns.
Chestnut has won the iconic competition 18 times in the past 20 years.
He entered the 2026 contest after missing the 2024 event and had previously won eight consecutive titles. His career record remains at 76 hot dogs and buns, while Sudo’s record is 51.
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Pat Bertoletti finished second in the men’s competition with 50 hot dogs and buns. Michelle Lesco, the 2021 women’s champion, placed second after eating 22 hot dogs and buns.
The annual contest, held outside the original Nathan’s Famous restaurant in Coney Island, New York, has been a Fourth of July tradition since 1972 and draws thousands of spectators each year as some of the world’s top competitive eaters battle for the coveted Mustard Belt.
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