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Why Joey Chestnut isn't competing in the 2024 Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest
By Joe Rivera, USA TODAY,
11 hours ago
Joey Chestnut reacts after winning the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest with a world record 75 hot dogs consumed in Brooklyn, in New York City on July 4, 2020. Andrew Kelly, REUTERS
The only thing that can stop Joey Chestnut is red tape.
Watching Chestnut dominate the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest has become as much a staple of Fourth of July festivities as barbecues, fireworks and your raunchy uncle downing one too many Miller Lites. This year, though, Chestnut won't be dunking buns or the competition .
In June, Chestnut signed an endorsement deal with Impossible Foods to sponsor a new, meatless hot dog. Representing a rival brand is something that gave MLE and Nathan's Famous more than a bit of indigestion, leading to him not being at the event this year.
The ban, though, isn't permanent, according to MLE, which wants Chestnut to compete at future events.
"Joey Chestnut is an American hero. We would love nothing more than to have him at the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest, which he has dominated for years. We hope that he returns when he is not representing a rival brand," MLE said in a statement.
That said, this isn't the last you'll see of Chestnut downing dogs.
Chestnut vs. Kobayashi
Though he's not eating hot dogs on the Fourth of July, Chestnut will return to the competitive eating spotlight in a big, big way in 2024, by facing an old rival.
"Through all of my years in competitive eating, Kobayashi stands out as my fiercest rival," Chestnut said in a statement. "Competing against him pushed me to be so much better. I know that fans have waited a long time for another chapter of our rivalry and I can't wait for our massive showdown live on Netflix!"
Kobayashi and Chestnut last jawed off in 2009, with Chestnut chewing out the six-time Mustard Belt winner.
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