Pat Bertoletti wins hot dog eating contest in Joey Chestnut's absence
- Pat Bertoletti claimed victory in the hot dog eating contest with Joey Chestnut missing.
- Joey Chestnut, a renowned competitive eater, was absent this year from the annual event.
- Although Joey Chestnut was not present, Pat Bertoletti stood out and secured the championship title.
In a thrilling turn of events at the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, Pat Bertoletti emerged as the new champion by devouring an impressive 58 hot dogs in just 10 minutes. The contest, held at Coney Island, drew in thousands of spectators eager to witness competitive eaters scarf down as many hot dogs and buns as possible within the time limit. Bertoletti's victory came as a surprise, especially with last year's champion, Chestnut, notably absent from the competition. Chestnut, hailing from Indiana, had clinched the title in the previous year by consuming a remarkable 62 hot dogs and buns within the allotted time. However, his absence this year opened up the field for a new winner in the men's division, attracting participants from around the globe vying for the coveted mustard belt. The competition took an interesting turn as Bertoletti's win marked a shift in the event's usual outcome. Notably, Chestnut recently inked a deal with Impossible Foods, a competitor of Nathan's, known for its vegan offerings, including a plant-based wiener. This partnership added a layer of intrigue to the contest, highlighting the evolving landscape of competitive eating. Additionally, Impossible Foods pledged to contribute to an organization supporting military families based on the number of hot dogs consumed during the event, showcasing a philanthropic angle to the competition. For more updates on sports news and coverage, viewers can follow Fox News Digital's sports content and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter. The Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest not only showcased remarkable feats of gastronomic prowess but also hinted at the changing dynamics within the competitive eating sphere, setting the stage for future contests and surprises.