Miki Sudo and Patrick Bertoletti Win Hot Dog Eating Contest

(Brooklyn, NY -- July 4, 2024) - The annual international hot dog eating contest took place in front of Nathan's Famous flagship restaurant. Thousands of spectators gathered in Brooklyn's Coney Island to watch competitors consume unlimited hot dogs and buns. 

Competitors came from over 12 states and five continents to compete for the title of the "Hot Dog Eating Champion," and a cash prize of $10,000. Various competitors came from countries including Brazil, Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom, Czech Republic, and South Korea to compete in the event. This year's competitors included Miki Sudo from Florida, Mayoi Ebihara from Japan, Patrick Bertoletti from Chicago, Illinois, and Gideon Oji from Nigeria. Competitors had ten minutes to consume as many hot dogs and buns. 

In the women's division, Miki Sudo won her 10th pink belt, and broke a new world record for the women's division. Sudo consumed a total of 51 hot dogs and buns with ten minutes on the clock. Mayoi Ebihara from Japan finished in second place after consuming 37 hot dogs and buns. Last year, Ebihara was the runner up in the hot dog eating contest. 

The fourth annual lemonade chugging contest was held where competitors were challenged to drink one gallon of Nathan's Famous lemonade. Four-time, undefeated champion Eric "Badlands" Booker consumed an entire gallon of lemonade in 21 seconds. Booker broke his previous record 23.58 second, and he continues to hold on to the tile of the Chugging Champion. 

Amid Joey Chestnut's absence from this year's contest, Patrick Bertoletti was crowned the hot dog eating champion in the men's division. Within ten minutes, Bertoletti consumed 58 hot dogs and buns. Geoffrey Esper took second place with 53 hot dogs and buns, and James Webb from Australia in third place with 52 hot dogs and buns. Bertoletti broke his previous record of 55 hot dogs and buns, but fell short of Chestnut's record of 76 hot dogs and buns, which was set during the 2021 hot dog eating contest.

This was the first time that a contestant other than Joey Chestnut won the contest since 2015. In June, organizers banned Joey Chestnut was banned due to a dispute regarding Chestnut's decision to represent  Impossible Foods. Following the ban, Chestnut made a decision to not participate in this year's contest.