Nathan’s annual Fourth of July Scorching Canine Consuming Contest has particular that means for 13-time champion Joey Chestnut, who advised The Put up on Sunday he’s excited to compete in entrance of the general public once more.
The “boy king” of aggressive consuming set a brand new world report final 12 months, gobbling 75 sizzling canine and buns in 10 minutes — however did so with out the standard viewers and on the third flooring of Nathan’s headquarters in Williamsburg.
“It’s been so lengthy since we’ve been in entrance of an enormous crowd, simply with COVID. So I’m excited and nervous,” the 37-year-old advised The Put up moments earlier than his try Sunday to interrupt his personal report. “I really like being in entrance of individuals and the vitality it brings.”
Main League Consuming’s top-ranked competitor mentioned he was wanting ahead to returning to the competition’s conventional Coney Island location and “attending to eat in entrance of individuals, wanting ahead to the viewers and hopefully simply have an excellent time.”
“I’m simply (making an attempt to) keep completely satisfied, relaxed. No unfavorable vitality. And simply be completely satisfied. Simply consider all the nice practices,” he mentioned.
Chestnut received his first Nathan’s world championship in 2007, when he dethroned six-time defending champion Takeru Kobayashi. He has received the competition yearly since — excluding 2015, which he misplaced to Matt Stonie.
The California native mentioned he’s “hoping” to win all of it once more in 2021.
“I’m simply hoping I can discover a rhythm and do what I’ve been doing in apply,” he mentioned. “So long as I do this —if I win, nice. If I get a report? Superior.”
“Any person else pulls it out? Good for them, however they’re gonna have to essentially, actually eat like a madman.”
