Joey Chestnut's Most Hot Dogs Eating Achievements

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Posted Oct 7, 2024

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Joey Chestnut is the undisputed king of competitive eating, and his record-breaking hot dog eating feats are a testament to his skills. He has won the annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest a record 13 times.

Joey Chestnut's first win at Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest was in 2007, where he downed 59.75 hot dogs in 10 minutes. This achievement set the stage for his future success in the competition.

Joey Chestnut's eating style is a key factor in his success, as he uses a technique called "chipmunking" to stuff as many hot dogs into his cheeks as possible.

Joey Chestnut's Achievements

Joey Chestnut has eaten an average of 70.4 hot dogs in the 10-minute contest since 2016.

He's not just a hot dog eating champion, but also holds the Major League Eating record in 54 different categories.

In 2021, Chestnut set the record by eating 76 hot dogs in 10 minutes.

Credit: youtube.com, The Science Behind Competitive Eating | Sport Science | ESPN Archives

His impressive record includes eating more than 70 dogs and buns six times.

Chestnut has eaten a total of 1,152 hot dogs and buns in the event since 2005.

This is 682.5 more than any other eater in the same time period.

To put that into perspective, the total length of hot dogs eaten by Chestnut equates to 7,776 inches, or 648 feet.

Here's how that compares to some other notable distances:

  • Distance to dead center at Citi Field and Yankee Stadium: 408 feet.
  • Distance of Aaron Judge's longest home run: 496 feet.
  • Height of the Statue of Liberty: 305 feet.

In just 10 minutes, Chestnut consumed 18,270 calories in 2022.

Joey Chestnut has turned competitive eating into a million-dollar career, a far cry from the days when the average Joe might consider stepping on the stage to eat hot dogs.

The Fourth of July tradition has undergone significant changes in the last couple of decades, with Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi leading the way.

Kobayashi's innovative "Solomon Method" of breaking hot dogs in half and chasing them with a crushed bun cut in half the previous record in 2001.

Chestnut has since cut that record in half, showcasing the rapid evolution of competitive eating.

Recommended read: Cut Hot Dog

Records

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Tadahiro Kobayashi's reign as a competitive eater ushered in a new era of hot dog eating on Coney Island.

In 2001, he set a record by cutting in half how fast anyone had ever eaten a hot dog in the contest.

Miki Sudo holds the women's record for most hot dogs eaten in 10 minutes, but that's not mentioned in this article section.

Joey Chestnut has since cut Kobayashi's record in half, showcasing his competitive eating skills.

Kobayashi used his so-called Solomon Method where he breaks hot dogs in half and chases it with a crushed bun.

By Year (Color-Coded)

In the 1970s, contestants were getting older, with Walter Paul from Coney Island, Brooklyn, competing at 17 years old in 1978 and 1979.

The 1960s saw Walter Paul competing again, this time as a "rotund Coney Island carnival caretaker" at 17 years old in 1968.

Peter Washburn, a one-armed Brooklyn Carnival worker, competed at 18+1⁄2 or 17 years old in 1959, alongside his brother Paul Washburn, who was also a carnival worker from Brooklyn, competing at 17+1⁄2 years old.

Walter Paul from Brooklyn competed in 1959 as well, weighing 260 pounds and standing at 17 years old.

Competition Details

Credit: youtube.com, The Science Behind Competitive Eating | Sport Science | ESPN Archives

Joey Chestnut is going for his 16th Mustard Belt, a record that's hard to beat. He's been dominating in the hot dog eating competition since 2007.

The competition is fierce, with some highly ranked eaters looking to take him down. However, Matt Stonie, the last man to beat Chestnut, is not competing this year.

Here's a breakdown of the top competitors:

Joey Chestnut's Competition Weight Gain

Joey Chestnut once told reporters he gained about 24 pounds after one of his biggest performances.

In a single 10-minute contest, Chestnut can consume 18,270 calories, which is comparable to the daily calories burned by polar bears (12,234).

Chestnut's weight gain is equivalent to carrying a bowling ball in his stomach, which would be an understatement given the amount of hot dogs he eats.

To put this into perspective, Chestnut's total length of hot dogs eaten equates to 7,776 inches, or 648 feet.

Rules

To compete in the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, you'll need to meet certain requirements. Only entrants currently under contract by Major League Eating (MLE) can participate.

A Man Wearing Black Apron Cooking Food in a Cooking Competition
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The competition is sanctioned by the International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE), and it's been doing so since 1997. The contestants are selected based on specific criteria.

To qualify, you'll need to be one of the following: a past champion, a winner of a regional qualifying contest for that season, one of the top two average qualifier scores without winning a single qualifier, or someone invited by special invitation of the MLE.

Here are the ways to qualify:

  • any past champion;
  • winners of a regional qualifying contest for that season;
  • individuals qualifying as one of two wildcards (highest two average qualifier scores without winning a single qualifier); and
  • those invited by special invitation of the MLE.

The contest itself is quite straightforward. The competitors stand on a raised platform behind a long table with drinks and Nathan's Famous hot dogs in buns.

Tactics and Performance

Some competitive eaters use clever tactics to down hot dogs quickly, like the "Carlene Pop" where they jump up and down while eating.

To train for these events, contestants often adopt unique diets, such as liquid-only diets or eating cabbage to prepare their stomachs.

Takeru Kobayashi's approach is particularly interesting, as he meditates and drinks water before fasting before the event.

Joey Chestnut in Perspective

Credit: youtube.com, Joey Chestnut downs 62 hot dogs at 2023 Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest to win 16th title 🌭🤯

Joey Chestnut is a force to be reckoned with in the world of competitive eating. He's eaten an average of 70.4 hot dogs in 10 minutes since 2016, which is a staggering feat.

The math behind his eating ability is impressive, considering the average American eats only 70 hot dogs in an entire year. Chestnut's dominance in competitive eating is evident in his record-breaking totals in the event.

His record of 76 hot dogs eaten in 2021 is the highest in the event's history, and he's achieved this feat multiple times. He's also set records in other food categories, including chicken wings, hard-boiled eggs, and grilled cheese sandwiches.

To put his eating ability into perspective, consider that Chestnut has eaten 1,152 hot dogs and buns in the event since 2005. This is a staggering total, especially when you compare it to others in the competition.

Here are some interesting facts about the length and calories of hot dogs eaten by Chestnut:

  • The total length of hot dogs eaten by Chestnut equates to 648 feet, which is longer than the distance to dead center at Citi Field and Yankee Stadium.
  • He consumed 18,270 calories in 10 minutes in 2022, which is equivalent to his daily calorie intake during training for the 2008 Olympics.

It's worth noting that Chestnut's eating ability is not limited to hot dogs alone. He's set records in 54 different categories, showcasing his versatility and skill in competitive eating.

Tactics and Training

Aerial View of a Person Sitting among Food Spread on Blankets on the Ground
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Competitors use various tactics to consume hot dogs quickly, including the "Carlene Pop" method, where they jump up and down while eating, and "Buns & Roses", where they sway from side to side.

Takeru Kobayashi's training routine is quite unique, involving meditation, water, and cabbage, followed by fasting before the event.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most hot dogs eaten in 10 minutes?

The record for most hot dogs eaten in 10 minutes is 76 hot dogs, set by Chestnut in 2021.

Who ate 77 hot dogs?

There is no record of anyone eating 77 hot dogs in the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. Joey Chestnut holds the record with 76 hot dogs, set in 2021.

What US state eats the most hot dogs?

The US state that consumes the most hot dogs is West Virginia. Hot dogs are a staple in American cuisine, and West Virginia takes the top spot in hot dog consumption.

Sources

  1. Competitive eating legends Joey Chestnut, Takeru ... (goodmorningamerica.com)
  2. Joey Chestnut | Major League Eating - IFOCE (majorleagueeating.com)
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  4. "The Hideous Masters of Gluttony: July 6, 2007" (nytimes.com)
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  7. "Frankfurter Fan Downs 127 for Centennial Title" (google.com)
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  26. Banned from Nathan’s, hot dog-eating champion Joey Chestnut will compete in Texas (dallasnews.com)
  27. Hot dog-eating champ Joey Chestnut won't compete this July 4. What’s the beef? (npr.org)
  28. Joey Chestnut barred from Nathan’s hot dog contest over Impossible Foods deal (washingtonpost.com)
  29. "Kobayashi Somehow Sets A New, Totally Unofficial Hot Dog Eating Record" (deadspin.com)
  30. the original (aol.com)
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  37. Two Dozen Hot Dogs Please, and No, They're Not to Go (nytimes.com)
  38. Official website (nathansfamous.com)
  39. 40°34′31.12″N 73°58′53.11″W / 40.5753111°N 73.9814194°W / 40.5753111; -73.9814194 (geohack.toolforge.org)
  40. according to the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council (hot-dog.org)
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Sheldon Cormier

Senior Writer

Sheldon Cormier is a seasoned writer with a passion for crafting engaging articles on a wide range of topics. His expertise lies in the realm of canine health concerns, where he has honed his skills through extensive research and a deep understanding of the subject matter. With a keen eye for detail and a talent for storytelling, Sheldon brings complex information to life in a way that's both informative and accessible to readers.