NEW YORK – Joey Chestnut, the champion of the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest excluded from that competition this yearwill face another former champion at a different venue.
It will be wiener take all.
Netflix has announced that Chestnut, the record 16-time champion, will take on his legendary rival and former champion Takeru Kobayashi in a special set to air live on Netflix on Labor Day. The special is called “Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef.”
There’s no word yet on where the competition will be held, but Netflix says the two will be eating beef hot dogs.
Why Joey Chestnut was banned
Chestnut will not be participating in this year’s Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest on the Fourth of July due to its partnership with Impossible Foods, a rival brand that sells plant-based hot dogs.
Major League Eating, which organizes the event, said that they and Nathan “have gone to great lengths over the past few months to accommodate Joey and his management team,” including allowing Chestnut to participate in the Labor Day competition at Netflix.
“For nearly two decades, we have operated under the same basic hot dog exclusivity provisions. However, it appears that Joey and his executives have prioritized a new partnership with another hot dog brand over our long-standing relationship,” Major League Eating said. a statement. “We hope he returns if he is not representing a rival brand.”
Chestnut disagreed with that characterization and spoke out on the issue in a social media post.
“I was very disappointed to hear from the media today that after almost twenty years I have been excluded from the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest on the 4th of July. I love participating in that event, I love celebrating America with my fans in this great country. the 4th and I have been training to defend my title,” wrote Chestnut. “To set the record straight, I have no contract with MLE or Nathan’s and they want to change the rules of recent years when it comes to other partners I can work with. This is apparently the basis on which I have been banned, and it has no impact on the 4th of July game.
“Unfortunately, this is the decision that Nathan’s and Major League Eating are making and it will deprive our fans of the usual joy and entertainment of the holidays. To my fans: I love you and appreciate you. Rest assured, you will see me again see you eating soon. Stay tuned and STAY HUNGER!” He wrote.
“We love Joey and support him in whatever competition he chooses. It’s okay to experiment with a new dog. Meat eaters shouldn’t be exclusive to just one sausage,” an Impossible Foods spokesperson told CBS News in a statement .
Joey Chestnut’s record
Chestnut holds the world record for eating 76 hot dogs in 10 minutes as of 2021. He has won the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest 16 times, every year since 2007, with the exception of 2015, when he lost to Matthew Stonie.
Now he’s about to face another ‘chompion’, Takeru Kobayashi.
In May, Kobayashi, a six-time Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest champion and longtime competitive eater, announced his retirement, saying in a statement, “I am concerned about the consequences of my decision, but most importantly, I want to fix my problems.” brain and intestines.”
But now it seems there is another battle to be fought. It’s been fifteen years since the two faced off in a hot dog eating competition. In 2009, Chestnut defeated Kobayashi to retain the coveted Mustard Yellow belt.
“For me, retirement won’t happen until I take him out for the last time,” Kobayashi said. “This rivalry has been brewing for a long time.”
“Throughout my years in competitive eating, Kobayashi stands out as my biggest rival,” Chestnut said. “Competing against him has made me so much better. I know fans have been waiting a long time for a new chapter of our rivalry and I can’t wait for our huge showdown live on Netflix! It’s time to give the people what they want!”
