Joey Chestnut will compete at this year’s Nathan’s Hot Dog Contest despite an injury that will have him on crutches while going for the win.
No one can stuff their face with a variety of foods quite like Joey Chestnut. This year he’ll have to do it while carrying an injury.
Chestnut showed up to the Major League Eating weigh-in for Nathan’s annual hot dog eating contest with his foot in a boot and walking on crutches.
That’s not going to stop the odds-on favorite from taking part.
Nathan’s Hot Dog Contest: Joey Chestnut injury details
“It’s a ruptured tendon,” Chestnut told Fox News. “It’s all right. I’ll be able to stand up and eat. I’m excited. I’m not eating with my leg.”
Despite Chestnut’s assurances that he’ll be unaffected by the leg injury, fans on Twitter are ready for a flu-game-type narrative for the GOAT of professional eaters.
Last year, Chestnut set a new world record by scarfing down 76 hot dogs during the 4th of July contest, one more than the record he set in 2020.
He’s going for his seventh consecutive victory in the event, with 14 titles already in hand. The only time he’s been beaten since 2007 was when YouTuber Matt Stonie shocked the world in 2015.
Hot dogs aren’t his only specialty. Chestnut has also set records for eating Big Macs, grilled cheese sandwiches, pizza, ice cream sandwiches, Hostess Donnettes and more.
Will the 38-year-old maintain his dominance? Or will someone new burst onto the scene? It’ll all play out on July 4th.