Joey Chestnut, Miki Sudo win Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest

Saturday, July 4, 2020

Everything to know about Nathan's hot dog contest 2020

Joey Chestnut is set to defend his crown as Nathan's Famous holds its 2020 Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest in Coney Island on July 4, but without a crowd!

CONEY ISLAND, Brooklyn (WABC) -- Joey Chestnut won the men's Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, while Miki Sudo took the crown home for the women's side.

Chestnut and Sudo both set new world records Saturday.

Chestnut set a world record by eating 75 hot dogs in ten minutes, 33 more than his closest competitor.

Sudo set a women's record by eating 48.5 hot dogs and buns in ten minutes. She won her seventh straight title.

Chestnut's 13 career titles is the most of all-time.

The annual hot dog eating contest, an American holiday tradition on the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues for generations, will instead take place in a private location with COVID-19 safety measures in place. The competition took place indoors with no fans.

The event featured five eaters rather than the usual 15 to allow for social distancing in the 10-minute competitions for leading male and female eaters.

Chestnut holds the world record downing 74 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes in 2018.

He weighed-in at 220 pounds on Friday as he pursues his 13th title.

Chestnut said he ate a little too much when the coronavirus pandemic started back in March.

"I ate too much and I gained a little bit of weight. Once I realized I was gaining weight, I started eating healthy - lot more vegetables," he said. "It's hard to eat healthy during quarantine. It's so easy to order take out and delivery food."

Chestnut said it's weird knowing he won't have an audience this year, especially since he draws a lot of energy off the crowd.

Sudo's all-time best is 41 hot dogs and buns. The women's world record is 45 Nathan's Famous hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes.

The 6-time champion weighed-in at 132 pounds on Friday.

"We're ecstatic to make the announcement that the Hot Dog-Eating Contest will take place this year," said James Walker, Nathan's Famous Senior Vice President, Restaurants. "2020 has been a year for the history books, and the realization that this storied July 4 tradition would be able to occur, is a great feeling. With that being said, our country and our world has endured so much in the last couple of months, that we'd be remiss if we didn't use this moment to honor those that have done so much for each of us during this time."

The contest, which features an annual donation of 100,000 Nathan's Famous hot dogs to Food Bank for New York City, will be dedicated to raising funds for food banks and to raising awareness of food bank needs.

Major League Eating and individual eaters will make donations to food banks and use the contest as a platform to highlight the work of these organizations.

The contest also will be used as a platform to honor essential workers in New York City, many of whom have not received recognition for their efforts.

LOOK BACK: Joey Chestnut scores 12th win, devouring 71 hot dogs

Kemberly Richardson reports on the annual Nathan's Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest

"We owe so much to those that kept our communities fed and cared for during this unprecedented time, and we look forward to honoring them on July 4," Walker said.

"The Nathan's Famous contest is synonymous with July 4, America and the celebration of freedom," host George Shea said. "We are honored to use the contest to highlight the incredible spirit of those who have supported our city and nation through the current challenge."

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