On July 4, 2025, the annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest was held as usual on Coney Island in New York. This year’s men’s champion was Joey Chestnut, also known as the “Jaws,” who has been a dominant force in the competition for 20 consecutive years, only missing out in 2024. The women’s champion was Miki Sudo, a Japanese competitor, claiming her 11th title. Both of them proudly wore the Mustard Belts at the end of the contest and will receive the $10,000 prize money.
41-year-old Chestnut devoured 70 and a half hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes, falling short of his record of 76 set on July 4, 2021. Nevertheless, he defeated 14 competitors from various parts of the United States and other countries, including Australia, the Czech Republic, Ontario, the UK, and Brazil. This marked the Hoosier’s 20th appearance and 17th victory in the competition, having missed the 2024 contest due to contract disputes.
In the women’s division, defending champion Miki Sudo from Florida consumed 33 hot dogs, surpassing a dozen competitors. She had set a record of 51 hot dogs eaten last year.
The Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest on Coney Island has been a New York Independence Day tradition since 1972, held outside Nathan’s Famous restaurant in Brooklyn’s Coney Island. The rules require male and female competitors to eat as many hot dogs as possible within 10 minutes, with the option to dip the hot dogs in water to soften them. Spectators cheer enthusiastically wearing foam hot dog hats.
The contest has become a popular event where competitors showcase their incredible eating abilities, attracting participants and fans from all over to witness the thrill of competitive eating on Independence Day.