Joey Chestnut, who holds the official record with 16 championship titles,, has just been banned from Nathan's contest for representing a vegan meat brand.
Joey Chestnut reached the highest position for the 16th time in the hot dog contest. However, he is still banned from Nathan's contest for representing a vegan meat brand, as reported by the New York Post.
The Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, a renowned annual event held on Independence Day in Brooklyn's Coney Island.
The contest showed a spectacle where contestants vied to consume the most hot dogs in a limited time. Joey Chestnut, a dominant force in the competition, has claimed victory 16 times. However, this year, he finds himself sidelined due to his affiliation with a rival brand of vegan hot dogs.
The hot dog contest is an event that takes place every year on Independence Day at Nathan's Famous in Brooklyn's Coney Island.
The contest attracted competitors from around the globe to devour hot dogs in a test of gastronomic prowess.
Contestants stand behind tables laden with hot dogs, aiming to consume as many as possible within ten minutes
The hot dog eating champion, Joey Chestnut, has clinched victory at Nathan's contest a staggering 16 times.
After achieving the title 16 times, Joey Chestnut has left a mark on the competitive eating world
Although he achieved success in the hot dog contest, he remained banned from Nathan's contest for representing a vegan meat brand.
In a shocking turn of events, Joey Chestnut, the 16-time winner, has been banned from the contest. This decision resulted in his disqualification from Nathan's competition. It was clarified that he was banned from Nathan's contest for representing a vegan meat brand.
According to the New York Post, the announcement of Chestnut's affiliation with Impossible Foods sparked controversy, with Major League Eating (MLE).
As a source told the New York Post, the contest's sanctioning body, expressed disappointment over his decision. MLE had extended a lucrative offer to Chestnut for continued participation in Nathan's contest, but his alignment with a competing brand led to a rupture in their relationship.
They said: ""We are devastated to learn that Joey Chestnut has chosen to represent a rival brand that sells plant-based hot dogs rather than competing in the 2024 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest."
They also emphasized their desire for him to return to Nathan's contest without affiliations to rival brands. Despite the rift, Chestnut remains revered for his contributions to competitive eating, with fans and organizers expressing hope for his future involvement.
They continued: "For nearly two decades, we have worked under the same basic hot dog exclusivity provisions. However, it seems that Joey and his managers have prioritized a new partnership with a different brand over our long-time relationship.
"Joey Chestnut is an American hero. We would love nothing more than to have him at the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest. We hope he returns when he is not representing a rival brand."
After the incident, Chestnut and his agents refrained from making an making an immediate comment, and Impossible Foods also did not respond.
