Comment on this storyComment
Joey “Jaws” Chestnut – known as the king of competitive eating – earned an unsurprising victory on July 4th at Coney Island when he took home first place in the men’s hot dog eating contest.
Chestnut’s win was his 16th at the annual Nathan’s Famous competition. He rhythmically devoured 62 hot dogs in 10 minutes – 13 hot dogs more than its second-place competitor – adding to its growing tally of fast-eating records.
“What an emotional rollercoaster ride,” Chestnut, from Westfield, Indiana, told ESPN. “I’m just happy… I got to eat some hot dogs and I won,” he added, saying he still has room in his stomach for “a few beers later.”
Such competitions have become something of a sport in the United States and are treated as a national spectacle. But are there financial incentives? Can “Gurgitators” like Chestnut make a career out of eating contests? Here’s what we know.
Joey Chestnut dominates Nathan’s competition after a delay caused by crazy weather
How Much Does Competitive Eating Pay?
The pinnacle of competitive eating in the United States is undoubtedly the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, held annually at Coney Island, whose origins are said to date back to 1916. An estimated 35,000 fans will be in attendance, according to Nathan’s website, while millions more are following the ESPN show and others are joining in on social media.
The men’s and women’s competitions have cash prizes of $20,000 – $10,000 for each winner for 10 minutes of food. Like Chestnut who did this designated On July 4th, the “best day of the year”, former women’s champion Miki Sudo prevailed against her competitors on Tuesday and retained her title.
Many consider contest eating to be a part-time job. Other notable competitions, most of which are hosted by Major League Eating, the worldwide organization that oversees professional eating competitions like Nathan’s, include the Great Midwest Rib Fest in Minneapolis, where organizers say the winners receive cash prizes worth Rs took home over $19,000 after eating meaty ribs.
A world burrito-eating championship and a national pistachio-eating contest that Chestnut has competed in each have a combined prize pool of $10,000.
The National Sweetcorn Eating Championship in Florida has prizes ranging from a first prize of $2,500 to a sixth place prize of $200. Eating tamales at the Padrino Foods World Tamale Eating Championship in Texas could result in winners winning prizes ranging from $1,500 to $100.
Chestnut participates in many events with higher prizes. Major League Eating described Chestnut as “an American hero and a national treasure” and called his appetite “legendary”.
Chestnut told The Washington Post that preparation and psychological drive contribute to his success.
In 2007, he won Nathan’s hot dog contest for the first time, ending the reign of six-time champion Takeru Kobayashi by earning the coveted “mustard belt.” His personal best at the event is 76 hot dogs in 10 minutes, achieved in 2021 (a number he wears on the back of his jersey during the competition). He said he once ate 82 hot dogs and buns in one workout and believes it’s possible to do even more.
How hot dog contestants ate from 10 to 76 hot dogs in 10 minutes
How Much Does Hot Dog Eating Champion Joey Chestnut Make?
Since breaking out in 2005 with a fried asparagus championship, Chestnut has racked up prize money — and left his full-time job as a construction manager in 2010.
Chestnut recently told USA Today Sports that he earned more than $500,000 from competing last year and his net worth is over $4 million.
“You have to see yourself as a company when you work for yourself,” he told the outlet. It has also been reported that he has had endorsement deals with companies such as Pepsi, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers and Wonderful Pistachios.
Like other competitive eaters, he also makes money from advertising, endorsement deals, and personal appearances (including eating cherry pie at a Goldman Sachs summit). He has also launched a line of condiments for hot dogs and sandwiches.
His talent manager Trevor Katende declined to comment on Chestnut’s earnings details Wednesday, and Chestnut did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
But his success is seemingly unusual. “Chestnut may be the only man in the world who has made competitive eating a viable lifestyle,” as Sporting News put it.
In a 2017 video, Joey Chestnut eats 77 hot dogs in 10 minutes to practice for Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. (Video: Joey Chestnut)
How did Chestnut rise in the Eating Contest Rankings?
Born in Vallejo, California, Chestnut, 39, stands about 6’1″ and weighs 230 pounds, according to his website. He earned degrees in engineering and construction management from San Jose State University before delving into the world of competitive eating, according to his website. His brother, who saw his potential when he came home from school for the holidays and devoured his mother’s dishes, signed him up for low-level competitions from around the age of 21.
He now “holds more competitive eating records than any other athlete in history,” according to his website. “Although he saw competitive eating as a strange concept, … he and his family embraced the bizarre sport and never looked back,” it continues.
What else does Chestnut eat to keep up?
Hot dogs aren’t the only way to bring home the bacon. According to his website, Chestnut also holds world records for eating apple pie, fried asparagus, chicken wings, burritos, glazed donuts, pizza, boiled eggs, Twinkies, burgers, tacos, gumbo, and gyoza.
“Many people eat to live. Joey Chestnut lives to eat,” it said.
Is Competitive Eating Healthy?
The long-term effects of competitive eating on the body are unknown, but medical experts have warned of the effects on gut health, the digestive system and stomach distension.
In addition, competitors may experience temporary dizziness or abdominal discomfort, and the foods commonly eaten during competitions are typically processed and high in fat and salt.
Joey Chestnut ate 19,200 hot dogs. According to a new study, he lost 1.3 years of his life.
By his count, Chestnut has probably eaten an average of 1,200 hot dogs a year for the last 16 years — and he says he’s overall healthy. “Once I start gaining weight and I have problems with my body, I can’t exert my body anymore,” he told the Washington Post in 2021.
Researchers at the University of Michigan published a study in 2021 that said eating a single hot dog can cut healthy living by 36 minutes. Assuming Chestnut ate 19,200 hot dogs in the last 16 years, he could have lost a year and 115 days, according to the study.
“I walk out knowing I’m going to feel like trash,” Chestnut said ahead of Tuesday’s hot dog contest.
Joey Chestnut indulged in 62 hot dogs in 10 minutes and defended his title in the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4th. (Video: AP)
Cindy Boren and Julian Mark contributed to this report.
Give this item as a gift