Shocking news has hit the hot dog-eating world, and no one can quite accept it.
Joey Chestnut, the world’s number one competitive eater, will not be competing in the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4th due to a partnership with Impossible Foods.
It’s an irreplaceable emptiness, say rivals who fill their bellies.
“It’s a sad day for fans and competitors alike,” said former competitive eater Pablo Martinez. Ranked 25th in the MLEhe told The Post on Tuesday.
Chestnut has won the annual contest 16 times but will not compete this year because he is teaming up with a rival from Nathan’s, a decision Chestnut said came as a shock.
“I was disappointed to hear from the media that I have been barred from the Nathan’s 4th of July Hot Dog Eating Contest after 19 years of competing. I love competing in the competition, loving celebrating America on the 4th with fans across this great country, and have been training to defend my title,” Chestnut tweeted.
He followed this with two more segments.
“To set the record straight, I am not under contract with MLE or Nathan’s and they are seeking to change past rules regarding other partners I can work with. This appears to be the basis for my ban and does not affect the July 4th event,” Chestnut wrote.
“Unfortunately, this was a decision made by Nathan’s and Major League Eating that will deprive my amazing fans of the usual holiday joy and entertainment. To my fans, I love and appreciate you all, and rest assured you will see me eating again soon!! Stay hungry!”
The announcement sent shock waves through the professional foodie community and evoked similar sentiments from fellow dog lovers.
“It’s sad news. I have really mixed emotions,” Martinez said. “I don’t think anyone can beat his record. I can’t even imagine thinking that.”
Another current competitor, James Webb, Nathan’s first rival from AustraliaThe sentiment was the same for Chestnut, the Nathan’s record holder who ate 76 hot dogs in 10 minutes during the 2021 competition.
“Selfishly speaking, I’m sad,” Webb said, “but I’m excited to see what’s next for Joey Chestnut.”
For eight consecutive years, from 2007 to 2014, no one could dethrone Chestnut.
While speculation has experts and fans hoping for a new celebrity to emerge, Webb and Martinez agree that the 40-year-old legend is irreplaceable.
“Joey is the GOAT,” Webb said. “He’s the greatest competitive eating of all time. He’s the best, he’s at the top. I don’t think the standard he’s set will ever be reached.”
Despite the fact that “it comes down to one or two hot dogs,” if Chestnut had been there, “he would have been way ahead of them,” Martinez said.
2023 Nathan’s Fourth of July Hot Dog Contest Paul Martinka
Chesnut’s decision to partner with Impossible Foods has sparked fires beyond the competitive eating world, but his competitors are a testament to his character and are adamant that he would not have pursued the partnership if it hadn’t been beneficial for his own and his family’s future.
“This decision must have been difficult for him to make,” Martinez said. “I’m sure he’s thinking about himself and where he is at right now.”
Continuing a tradition dating back more than 100 years, the 2024 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest will be held at the iconic Coney Island restaurant.
