The Battle of the Dogs: How a New World Record Was Set in Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

A new world record was set for women at the annual Nathan’s hot dog eating contest on Thursday. Miki Sudo, a 38-year-old from Florida, consumed a total of 51 hot dogs in 10 minutes, marking her 10th win as the defending champion. Meanwhile, Patrick Bertoletti took the crown for men, finishing an impressive 58 hot dogs and buns in a 10-minute span.

Despite his iconic role in the contest over the last couple of decades, Nathan’s hot dog eating legend Joey Chestnut was famously missing from the annual competition this year due to a ban. The Major League Eating organization detailed the ban in a statement shared on social media, explaining that they were “devastated” by Chestnut’s decision to work with plant-based food rival Impossible Foods instead of continuing his relationship with them.

Joey and his management team had prioritized their partnership with a different hot dog brand over their long-time relationship with Nathan’s. Instead of participating in Nathan’s Fourth of July hot dog eating contest, Chestnut scored a Netflix special that will stream live on Labor Day: Chestnut vs Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef. For the first time in 15 years, Chestnut will face off with his longtime rival Takeru Kobayashi in a one-on-one match up. The time and location of the competition are still unknown.

In addition to these feats, Eric Badland also set a new world record by chugging an entire gallon of lemonade in just 21 seconds at the event on Thursday. When given the microphone, Badland let out a victorious roar and cheered in celebration of his achievement.