Sixteen-time Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest winner Joey Chestnut set a new hot dog eating contest record with 83 frankfurters and buns consumed during his Netflix showdown with longtime rival Takeru Kobayashi on Monday (September 2).
Chestnut, 40, broke his previous world record set in 2022 by seven hot dogs and buns. Kobayashi, who set a personal best with 66 hot dogs and buns consumed.
“This is amazing,” Chestnut said after the eating contest. “I’ve been trying to hit 80 hot dogs for years. Without Kobayashi, I was never able to do it. He drives me. We weren’t always nice to each other, but I love the way we push each other to be our best.”
Kobayashi, 46, who won six consecutive Nathan's titles before Chestnut's first win in 2007, was previously arrested at the 2010 contest when he rushed the stage in protest over a contract dispute. The Japanese native announced his decision to retire from competitive eating in May due to health issues, but said “retiring for me will only happen after I take (Chestnut) down one last time" in the Netflix release obtained by the Athletic.
Chestnut was banned from the Nathan's contest this year due to his endorsement of of Impossible Foods' vegan frankfurter. The 40-year-old ate 57 frankfurters and buns during the Fort Bliss July 4th Celebration, nearly tying the 2024 Nathan's champion, Patrick Bertoletti, in half the time.