Joey Chestnut competes in Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest men’s competition, Monday, July 4, 2016, in New York. Chestnut came in first eating 70 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Joey “Jaws” Chestnut has once again eaten his way to glory after beating his own record on Monday (Tuesday in Manila) and regaining Nathan’s Mustard Yellow International Belt.
After downing 70 hot dogs and buns—17 more hot dogs than his opponent—the 32-year-old bested the defending champ Matt “The Megatoad” Stonie at the annual Fourth of July hot dog eating contest.
Chestnut saw his record of eight straight wins snapped by Stonie last year at Nathan’s Famous on Coney Island, New York, which reportedly “woke the sleeping giant” inside the revered competitive eater.
“Last year was rough,” Chestnut told the crowd. “This year was the best ever.”
Chestnut’s astonishing feat was the most ever eaten at the competition. In 2013, he set a world record by eating 69 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. He also set a record last month when he ate 73 1/2 hot dogs and buns during a qualifying event, according to USA Today.
His defeated rival said there were “no excuses” for his loss and congratulated Chestnut for a job well done.
In the women’s division, defending champion Miki Sudo captured first place after gobbling eight-and-a-half weiners and buns in 10 minutes—her third consecutive victory.
With stomachs filled with ridiculous amounts of processed meat, both Sudo and Chestnut left with $10,000 (P469,595) each.
The colorful holiday tradition drew its share of characters, as many in the crowd wore foam hats shaped like hot dogs.
One man even held a sign that read: “Make America Eat Again,” a play on presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donal Trump’s campaign slogan, “Make America Great Again.” Khristian Ibarrola