Lead
Joey Chestnut successfully held onto his Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest title on Saturday at Coney Island, finishing with 66 hot dogs and earning his 18th Mustard Belt. While the victory continued Chestnut's dominance of the event, his total was lower than in prior years — a shortfall he and observers linked to the oppressive heat that blanketed much of the East Coast during the midday competition.
Conditions and effect
Temperatures during the contest approached 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) and were accompanied by high humidity. Contestants said those conditions altered bun texture and reduced physical performance. At one point during the event, sweat ran from Chestnut's forehead, down his nose, and onto a partially eaten hot dog, a visible sign of how the heat was affecting competitors.
Chestnut, who had consumed 70.5 hot dogs at the 2025 edition of the contest, told ESPN after his win that the extreme heat prevented him from mounting a bid on his own record of 76 hot dogs, set in 2021. "I knew early that I was going to win, but I also knew early I wasn’t going to break the record," he said. He added a second comment on the conditions: "I’m not going to get into it looking for an excuse, but yeah, it slowed me down."
Top finishers
Patrick Bertoletti, last year's champion, placed second with 51 hot dogs. In the women's division, Miki Sudo remained undefeated, claiming her 12th title with 38.75 hot dogs consumed.
Context and immediate takeaways
The contest outcome preserved Chestnut's long-running success at the event while underscoring how environmental factors can influence performance in endurance-based eating competitions. Even with a lower total than in recent years, Chestnut's margin of victory was decisive.
Summary of results
- Champion: Joey Chestnut - 66 hot dogs (18th Mustard Belt)
- Second place: Patrick Bertoletti - 51 hot dogs
- Women's champion: Miki Sudo - 38.75 hot dogs (12th title)
- Conditions: Near 100°F (38°C) with high humidity; competitors reported altered bun texture and decreased fitness
Note on reporting limits
The account above reflects statements made by competitors and observed conditions at the event. It does not attempt to attribute causes beyond those reported by participants or to provide medical or forensic analysis of performance under heat.