Lisa Kreutz announced on June 18, 2023, that she is stepping down as the weekend news anchor for ABC7. (File)
If it’s Fourth of July in America, it’s former San Jose and Vallejo resident Joey Chestnut downing hot dogs faster than any other competitor.
Chestnut added to his legacy Tuesday with his eighth straight Independence Day victory in the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York.
Chestnut, 39, downed 62 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes, 13 better than runner-up Geoffrey Esper, of the United States. Chestnut’s total was 13 shy of his record-consuming amount and gave him victories in 16 of the past 17 hot-dog eating contests. The only exception came in 2015 when American Matt Stonie won.
The contest was held after a lightning delay that pushed back the start two hours.
“If affected me,” Chestnut told ESPN2 when it was over. “But it’s the Fourth of July. I got to eat some hot dogs and get a win.”
Chestnut’s final total fell shy of his record-consuming amount of 76, set in 2001. Chestnut told the network that he has his eyes set on breaking it eventually.
“It’s nice to know I can push my body to new limits, but (Tuesday), things got in the way,” he said.
James Webb, of Australia, finished third place with 47 hot dogs and buns consumed.
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Originally published at Rick Hurd