CONEY ISLAND, N.Y. (WPIX) – Patrick Bertoletti of Chicago and dental hygiene student Miki Sudo of Florida came out on top at the annual Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest.
Bertoletti, 39, ate a personal-best 58 hot dogs in 10 minutes to beat out Jeffrey Esper, 53, at the popular competitive eating competition on Coney Island.
Bertoletti, Nick Wehry, James Webb (52), and Esper were neck-and-neck with about five minutes to go.
“We need more hot dogs,” George Shea yelled over the mic.
This year, male fan favorite Joey Chestnut did not return to the all-beef stage after winning by a whopping 13 hot dogs and buns last year. The Major League Eating great will instead compete against soldiers in El Paso, Texas.
Organizers of the Nathan’s event initially said he couldn’t attend due to a sponsorship conflict, which Chestnut said involved a deal with Impossible Foods, which makes plant-based hot dogs.
Chestnut said he was “gutted” he couldn’t compete in the event in Coney Island, where he said he loved the atmosphere and the sometimes-sweltering crowds.
In the women’s competition, Sudo consumed 51 hot dogs in 10 minutes and set a new world record for women.
The 38-year-old defending champion last year won after eating 39 1/2 hot dogs, while her personal best is 48 1/2, the women’s world record.
She defeated 13 competitors from around the world, including 28-year-old rival rival Mayoi Ebihara of Japan. Ebihara came in second after eating 37 hot dogs in 10 minutes. She was also the runner-up in 2023.
Competitors have come from over a dozen states and five continents, with prospects from Brazil, Japan, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Australia and the Czech Republic vying for the coveted title in men’s and women’s divisions and $10,000 prize money.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.