It’s a Hard Watch, But Chestnut is New York’s Glizzy King Once Again

 Is Competitive Eating a Sport?

Some may say that competitive eating isn't a sport, and that's fair.

But at the very least, it's a skill, much like golf, billiards, or darts.  Whether you consider Chestnut an actual athlete or just a man who possesses a unique skill set, one thing can't be argued: He has no rival, and as long as he's healthy and chomping, no one will ever beat him.

The only time Chestnut didn't destroy the competition at the 4th of July Hot Dog Eating Championship at Coney Island in New York was last year.

And that's only because he didn't compete!

Banned at the 2024 Dog Eating Contest in New York

Chestnut was banned from the 2024 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest before the event due to his affiliation with Impossible Foods, a plant-based food company.

Impossible Foods makes vegan hot dogs, among other products. It is considered a direct competitor for Nathan's and sponsors the annual hot dog eating contest.

Chestnut Wins Yet Again in 2025

Chestnut, 41, scarfed down an incredulous 70.5 hot dogs and buns in front of a fired-up crowd in Coney Island on Friday and, in doing so, won the Mustard Belt for a record 17th time.

Amazingly, he doesn't weigh 600 pounds; he's actually in pretty good shape.

Chestnut has accomplished a great deal in the competitive eating world, but no event has brought him more notoriety than the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, held every year on July 4th in New York.

He has won it 17 times and holds the single-event record, having consumed 76 hot dogs back in 2021. How can we forget the way he choked out a protester in 2022 on his way to eating 66 meat missiles?

The Throat Goat

Say what you will about Joey Chestnut; the man is a national treasure.

It may be hard for some to watch a man destroy 50, 60, or 70 hot dogs in just a few minutes without feeling a bit queasy, but you must admire this man's skill.

Maybe it's the water running down his chin while he's woodchipping tube steak, but watching Joey Chestnut smash glizzlies on the Fourth of July is as American as the holiday itself.

And for those like me, oddly intrigued by his ability to consume enormous amounts of food, there is no doubt that he is the greatest ever and has no rival.