The annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest is as essential to the 4th of July as fireworks, beers, and spontaneous, uncontrollable pledges of allegiance to the star-spangled banner and the American Dream.
With yet another win under his belt, veteran sausage slinger Joey Chestnut has become the face of the auspicious event.
After missing the 2024 edition, the iron-gutted Chestnut stormed back into contention by wolfing down 70.5 hot dogs and buns in a matter of minutes.
The hot dog athlete wasn’t quite at his best, having previously set a record of 76 in 2021, but his 70.5 in 2025 was enough to see off the pretenders to his unappetising throne.
After the 2025 win, Chestnut is now sitting on 17 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest titles and looks likely to return next year to continue the march to 20 of them.
Chestnut won the men’s division, with 40-year-old Miki Sudo winning her 11th title on the same day in the women’s.
On the Fourth of July the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest ended in familiar fashion as Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo claimed the Mustard belt.
"I wasn't the fastest out of the gate, but I'm known for my consistency so that really wasn't a concern of mine," said Sudo.
"I guess I refused to lose, I refuse to give up and when I do stumble, I get right back up so here we are for the 11th time!"
There are some proud parents in the Chestnut and Sudo households. Presumably.
While glory was on the cards for Joey and Miki, ignominy fell upon one contestant who was disqualified from the event for what can only be seen as a human response to eating hot dogs as fast as you can.
Madison Barone – sadly not of the Everybody Loves Raymond family – was disqualified by Major League Eating when she ‘experienced urges contrary to swallowing’.
In other words, Barone can’t handle her sausage.
"Ms. Barone experienced urges contrary to swallowing after the contest but before the conclusion of presentations and the awarding of places," said Sam Barclay, director of operations at Major League Eating, in a statement for USA Today.
"By Major League Eating rules, urges contrary to swallowing before the conclusion of the event, including presentations and the awarding of prizes, results in a DQ."
If you're wondering what's being alluded to here, we've got you covered: if you throw up before Joey Chestnut’s been given his trophy, you’re out.
Featured Image Credit: Bobby Bank / Contributor/Getty Images
Rachael Davis