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Joey Chestnut to Compete in Nathan’s Famous Contest While on Probation for Battery Conviction
The annual hot dog eating contest returns Saturday in Coney Island with Joey Chestnut competing despite an April misdemeanor conviction. Nathan’s Famous changed ownership in January and the event coincides with the United States’ 250th anniversary.
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Joey Chestnut will defend his title at the Nathan’s Famous hot dog eating contest on Saturday in Coney Island, New York, after pleading guilty in April to a misdemeanor battery charge. Chestnut remains on probation for the conviction but received permission to travel outside Indiana.
Major League Eating, the contest organizer, stated that the conviction and probation did not affect his eligibility.
His lawyer described the incident as a misunderstanding for which Chestnut accepted responsibility. Nathan’s Famous was sold to Smithfield Foods in January. The contest, which began in 1972, takes place in front of the original Nathan’s Famous restaurant and coincides with the United States’ 250th birthday.
Competitors have 10 minutes to eat as many hot dogs and buns as possible, often dunking the wieners in water. Chestnut holds the men’s record of 76 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes and has won the Mustard Belt 17 times. Miki Sudo holds the women’s record of 51 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes and has won the women’s division 11 times.
Women’s competition begins at 10:45 a.m. ET and men’s competition starts around 12:30 p.m. ET.
