The 4th of July is a special time in the United States, marked by a number of traditions. Fireworks, cookouts, and time on the water are all an indelible part of Americans’ celebrations surrounding the founding of this nation.
But there is another symbolic piece to the puzzle as well: The hot dog.
This culinary staple of our great nation is the official food of Independence Day, with Americans from coast to coast putting down a huge number of the iconic snack during the long weekend.
But no one does it like Joey Chestnut.
Chowdown champ Joey “Jaws” Chestnut broke his own record to gulp to a 14th win in the men’s Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest on Sunday, while Michelle Lesco took the women’s title. Chestnut downed 76 franks and buns in 10 minutes. That’s one more than he did in setting the men’s record last year, when the contest unfolded without fans because of the coronavirus pandemic. “It just felt good,” Chestnut, of Westfield, Indiana, said in an ESPN interview after his win Sunday. “Even if I was uncomfortable, having everybody cheer me and push me, it made me feel good.” Lesco, of Tucson, Arizona, downed 30¾ dogs in 10 minutes and called her win “an amazing feeling.” Reigning women’s champ and record-holder Miki Sudo skipped this year because she’s expecting a baby in a few weeks with fellow competitive eater Nick Wehry.
And, if you haven’t yet seen the walk-in introduction of Chestnut, behold:
This entrance from Joey Chestnut is wildly incredible ? pic.twitter.com/WWG2Dl94kd
— ESPN (@espn) July 4, 2021
Ladies and gentlemen: We are witnessing greatness in 2021.
