Laura Morton

Competitive Eating

Competitive eater Joey Chestnut sees himself as an athlete and trains seriously for his events. In the summer of 2006, Chestnut was preparing to compete in the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, New York. Chestnut, considered one of the top competitive eaters in the world, was considered the best challenge to reigning champion Takeru Kobayashi of Japan. Leading up to the competition, Chestnut trained three nights a week in his San Jose, California apartment. During the event contestants are given 12 minutes to eat as many hot dogs as possible while fans cheer them on. In the end, the competition ended up being a match between Chestnut and Kobayashi, but Kobayashi beat him by consuming 53 ½ hot dogs to Chestnut’s 52. Chestnut came back the next year to win the title and has won every year since.

Competitive eater Joey Chestnut prepares for his last practice in his San Jose, Calif. Apartment before heading to New York to compete in the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest. Chestnut, who sees himself as an athlete, trains seriously for the events. Leading up to the competition Chestnut trained three nights a week.
  
Chestnut crams hot dogs into his mouth during a practice in his apartment as his roommates Wilson Lau (left) and Nathaniel Yates (center) help him out. During practices Chestnut tries to eat as many hot dogs as he can in 12 minutes, the time allowed during the contest. Chestnut consumed an average of 50 hot dogs in each of his practices.
   
Chestnut recovers from an evening practice in his apartment during which he consumed 54 hot dogs in 12 minutes. On the days he practices Chestnut eats almost nothing all day so his stomach will be ready for the large amount of hot dogs he consumes at night.
     
  
Chestnut is weighed at a ceremony in front of a large group of media at a Nathan’s promotional event in New York City the day before the competition. Chestnut, a self-described shy guy, would rather avoid this type of media attention, but is required to attend. When he stepped up to the scale, several people in the crowd shouted “show off your muscles,” but Joey did not respond. The other eaters had no problem showing off for the cameras.
   
Chestnut is comforted by his sister Carmel Chestnut and brother Paul Chestnut on the streets of New York City after he became frustrated with the pressure put on him at the media event. Chestnut was anxious not only because he wanted to win for himself, but also because he felt the contest organizers were pressuring him because he was the American contender with the best chance of taking the title back from the Japanese.
   
Near the end of the contest, Joey, who in the beginning was ahead by as many as two hot dogs, begins to slip behind his main rival and five-time champion Takeru Kobayashi of Japan. In the end Chestnut ate 52 hot dogs, but Kobayashi beat him by consuming 53 ½.
     
  
After months of training the day has finally arrived and Chestnut crams hot dogs in his mouth during the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, NY.
   
Chestnut cries on the shoulder of his sister after losing to his rival and coming in second place in the Nathan’s competition. Chestnut is serious about the sport and won’t be considered the best in the world until he can win the Nathan’s title.
   
Already back in good spirits after losing the competition, Chestnut jokes with his sister Carmel Chestnut while leaving Coney Island to head back to his hotel. Chestnut kept up with his training and came back to win the Nathan’s title in 2007 and 2008.