Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest: Patrick Bertoletti Feels the Pressure
This is tough news to digest.
Patrick Bertoletti, a champion in Nathan’s hot dog eating contest, is feeling uncertain about his status. “Joey is the greatest hot dog eater of all time. I mean, maybe I have a chance? But it’s hard to say. Beating him? That’s a huge challenge,” he reflected.
Bertoletti earned the mustard belt last year by devouring 58 hot dogs at the iconic July 4th contest, but it did come after some controversy surrounding a sponsorship issue with another hot dog brand that sidelined the legendary competitor, Joey Chestnut.
If Chestnut, a 16-time champion, had participated, it would have definitely posed a hurdle for Bertoletti, who won amid the tensions. Since 2011, Chestnut has not missed the Coney Island contest, but he did take a break recently, winning another event with 83 hot dogs just two months after skipping the main event last year.
On Tuesday, news surfaced that Chestnut and Major League Meals are in discussions to secure his return to the Coney Island competition, yet nothing is set in stone.
Bertoletti dismissed the idea that the recent controversy might have been a PR stunt. “It’s a lot to wrap your head around, but I guess it’s not the worst thing,” he noted.
He added, “It felt strange without him there. Sure, he might have made it tougher for me to win, but I know he wanted to compete.”
That said, he’s not shying away from the competition. “I’m realistic about it. But I’m also thinking, who’s really got a shot at taking him down?”
Bertoletti expressed enthusiasm at the thought of competing against Chestnut again, mentioning that he prefers to stay “under the radar” in his training. “It’s odd to have all the previous champions looking at me,” he said.
He practices eating mini hot dogs several times a week and even shares some of his training videos online, preparing for the big event. “It’s not glamorous, and it’s really not funny. It’s just a hot dog,” he quipped. Eating franks never gets old for him.
Bertoletti is aiming to set a new personal record, aspiring to eat at least 60 hot dogs this year, surpassing his previous mark.
While the competition is fierce, Bertoletti emphasizes enjoyment. “I never thought I’d be a real hot dog champion. Last year was fabulous, and I’m learning to take things a little less seriously,” he concluded.
