For nearly two decades, the Fourth of July has been synonymous with Joey Chestnut’s dominance in hot dog eating contests. However, this year marked a significant change as Chestnut was banned from competing in the 2024 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest due to a sponsorship dispute.
Undeterred, the 16-time champion found another venue to showcase his eating prowess. He organized his own hot dog eating competition at Fort Bliss, Texas, where he faced off against four U.S. Army soldiers. Unlike the traditional Coney Island event, this contest had a five-minute time limit, challenging contestants to consume as many hot dogs as possible within the timeframe.
How many hot dogs did Joey Chestnut eat at his Fourth of July contest?
Joey Chestnut, known for his voracious appetite, devoured an impressive 57 hot dogs during the contest. In comparison, the four soldiers combined managed to eat 49 hot dogs. Chestnut’s performance was remarkable, nearly matching Pat Bertoletti’s winning total of 58 hot dogs in twice the time at Nathan’s men’s eating contest. Similarly, Miki Sudo set a new world record by consuming 51 hot dogs to win the women’s competition.
This event not only showcased Chestnut’s exceptional eating abilities but also served a charitable purpose. Together with the soldiers, Chestnut contributed to eating a total of 106 hot dogs, raising $106,000 for Operation Homefront. This nonprofit organization supports military families in need by alleviating financial burdens, highlighting the event’s dual significance.
The absence of Joey Chestnut from the iconic Nathan’s Fourth of July competition marked the end of an era. Since his first victory in 2007, Chestnut had dominated the event, claiming the coveted mustard belt in 16 out of 17 years.
Despite not competing at Nathan’s this year, Chestnut’s hot dog eating spectacle at Fort Bliss drew considerable attention on Independence Day.
