NEW YORK — Patrick Bertoletti of Chicago devoured 58 hot dogs to claim his first men’s title on Thursday at the annual Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest, capitalizing on the absence of the event’s biggest star.
Bertoletti emerged victorious in a close, 10-minute competition where the lead changed hands several times. The 39-year-old defeated 13 competitors from across the globe in a battle to see who could consume the most hot dogs in 10 minutes.
“I wasn’t going to stop eating until the job was done,” Bertoletti declared.
Bertoletti exceeded his previous record of 55 hot dogs at the event, held annually on Independence Day at Coney Island in New York.
The reigning men’s champion, Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, opted out of this year’s contest due to a sponsorship dispute. Instead, Chestnut will face off against soldiers at a U.S. Army base in El Paso later in the day. Chestnut had won 16 out of the previous 17 competitions.
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Patrick Bertoletti stuffs hot dogs into his mouth during the men’s division in Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest on Thursday at Coney Island in the Brooklyn borough of New York. Bertoletti ate 58 hot dogs.
Bertoletti stated that he shed pounds and trained diligently for three months with a sense of urgency to get ready for Thursday’s competition, feeling confident in his chances of winning.
“With Joey not here, I knew I had a shot,” he remarked. “I was able to unlock something that I don’t know where it came from. But I’m not complaining.”
Earlier Thursday, defending champion Miki Sudo of Florida secured her 10th title in the women’s division.
Sudo devoured 51 hot dogs in 10 minutes — setting a new world record for women.
“I’m just happy to call this mine for another year,” Sudo expressed after winning her 10th pink belt.
The 38-year-old dental hygiene student emerged victorious last year after consuming 39 1/2 hot dogs.
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