16-Time Champion Joey Chestnut Banned from Nathan’s Hot Dog Contest Over Deal with Rival Vegan Hot Dog Brand
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Joey Chestnut, the reigning champion of Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, has been banned from this year’s July 4 showdown.
The decision, confirmed by Major League Eating (MLE), comes after Chestnut opted to represent a rival hot dog brand that focuses on vegan products.
Joey is currently ranked No. 1 in the world by Major League Eating. Chestnut won his first Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest in 2007, defeating Taer “Tsunami” Kobayashi.
A spokesperson for MLE disclosed to ESPN that Chestnut had opted to “represent another hot dog brand,” thereby disqualifying him from the annual competition held at Coney Island, New York City.
Chestnut,
