Miki Sudo Clinches Victory in 2025 Hot Dog Contest

A staple of Independence Day festivities, the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest is unfolding today in the heart of New York City. The much-anticipated 2025 event began at Surf and Stillwell avenues, nestled in the iconic Coney Island district of Brooklyn.

In a familiar scenario, Miki Sudo, the reigning women's champion, secured her 11th title, devouring 33 hot dogs and buns.

Triumphant Performance by Women's Champion Miki Sudo

At 11 a.m., the women’s contestants took their places, with the men following suit at 12:30 p.m. Sudo, hailing from Tampa, Florida, has been the frontrunner for years, once achieving a world record by consuming 51 hot dogs and buns in 2024. This year, she fell short of her record by 18.

“The taste of the hot dogs was spot-on, and with the nice weather and enthusiastic crowd, I felt invigorated. Maybe today's buns were just a tad more filling,” Sudo remarked. “It doesn’t matter—I’m thrilled to win again. Thank you for all the encouragement.”

Midway through the competition, Sudo found herself in a fierce battle with Michelle Lesco and Domenica Dee. However, she managed to pull ahead towards the end, with Lesco finishing second at 22.75 and Dee third at 21.5 hot dogs.

Nick Wehry, Sudo's spouse, is also slated to compete on the men's side.

Joey Chestnut Aims for a Comeback

After his absence last year, Joey Chestnut is keen on reclaiming his title. Holding the record for 76 hot dogs and buns ingested in just a decade, a record set in 2021, Chestnut is on a mission to reign supreme once more.

Once a 16-time champion, Chestnut was previously challenged by rivals using plant-based hot dogs.

With Chestnut returning, the competition heats up. Patrick Bertoletti remains a formidable contender. On the women's stage, Sudo achieved her tenth win and broke another world record.

Chestnut mentioned, “I kind of hope Bertoletti had a bit of a mean streak—it would drive me more, but I actually like the guy. Still, my need to triumph means I’ll be giving everything, so I feel for him. He’s going down.”

Reflecting on his experience, Bertoletti said, “Winning Nathan’s was incredible last year, but without Joey, it seemed incomplete. Now that he's back, everything feels right.”

Anticipated Contest Regulations at Nathan's

Tracing its origins back to 1916 at the original Coney Island location of Nathan’s, this enduring tradition continues to captivate audiences.

Participants are given a 10-minute window to consume as many hot dogs and buns as they can manage. The usage of utensils and condiments is prohibited, although water and other non-alcoholic drinks are available.

Eating both the hot dog and bun is necessary for qualifying the count. Contestants can manipulate the food by hand or dunk buns in beverages for no longer than five seconds.

Should a participant regurgitate, they face disqualification.