Bottomless stomach: Joey Chestnut downs 70 hot dogs to reclaim title

Joey Chestnut. Slim with an insane ability to consume hot dogs and buns. Still the man when it comes to consuming hot dog wieners.

The Advance first published a story about Joey way back in 2014. Eleven years may not seem like a long time, but the fact that “The Nut” can still win the annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest at age 41 vs. only 30 back in 2014 says a lot about the man’s stomach, stamina, and his ability to endure the passage of time.

Don’t know how he does it, but our hat’s off to him.

This past July 4, Joey made his victorious return to the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest in New York City by consuming 70.5 HDB (hot dogs and buns) to reclaim the title, his 17th overall. The next closest competitor was defending champion Patrick Bertoletti with a measly 46.5 HDB. (Source: USA Today.)

A Marathon Eater

At 30, Chestnut first hit the professional eating scene in 2005, when he beat a high-ranked eater by consuming 6.3 pounds of fried asparagus in 11.5 minutes.

That same year, he placed third at the Nathan’s Championship by chomping down 32 hot dogs in 10 minutes.

Call him a nut, but he’s a disciplined nut. Three days prior to an eating competition, Chestnut gets his stomach ready by stretching it with milk, water, and protein supplements, according to his entry on Wikipedia. His weight varies between 210 and 225 pounds.

He says he won’t stop eating until he hits 70 years of age.

From a NY Post quote:

“This sport isn’t about eating. It’s about drive and dedication, and at the end of the day, hot dog eating challenges both my body and my mind.”

Like Joey Chestnut, most of the people who are serious about winning eating contests actually train to do it. Yeah, I know, we all have a cousin/primo who’ll try anything if you pump enough beer into him — like eating six lizard tails. But the serious eaters, they’re going around the country winning money.

Actually, they even have a name for those who participate in this “sport” — competitive speed eaters.

The amazing part, if you haven’t seen any videos of them pass by, is that most of the champions are skinny little guys like Joey Chestnut.

For some reason, Asians seem to have a particular ability for getting the job done as well. Nothing but respect.

Years ago, CNN did a show on speed eaters vs average Joes who simply entered an eating contest on a lark. The average contestant ate seven hot dogs before feeling sick. The “professional” consumed 36 hot dogs (with buns) in 10 minutes before doctors intervened.

Doctors warn of the dangers, but some of the speed-eating champs say they’ve been doing it for years and haven’t suffered yet from any ill effects.

Yeah, but what happens when they turn, say, 65, and their stomach says, I want to retire?