Joey Chestnut is an American hero. It's odd putting those words together knowing the San Jose, California, resident is famous because he eats way too much food. Then again, the United States is one of the most obese countries in the world, so it's only fitting the No. 1-ranked person in the Major League Eating championship league hails from America.
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Every Fourth of July, the eyes of the nation turn to Coney Island, New York for the annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. For 10 minutes, 20 of the world's best eaters stuff hot dogs and soggy buns down their gullets while we watch in horror as 20, 30, 40, 50 hot dogs per person are devoured. It's like a horror movie, but we keep coming back, and no one is more polarizing than Joey Chestnut.
The world-record holder at 76 hot dogs and buns is a machine. He's won 15 of the last 16 events, including in 2006 when he defeated six-time defending champion Takeru Kobayashi, a Japanese competitive eater who holds numerous world records of his own.
Ever since, Chestnut has become the star of the show.
Joey Chestnut's Insane Training Regimen
Photo by Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images
But how does a competitive eater train? Contrary to popular belief, competitive eaters are (somehow) athletes. They train their throat, neck, and stomach to swallow pounds upon pounds of food, which requires a workout routine you won't find at your local Planet Fitness.
In an ESPN 30 for 30 documentary titled "The Good, The Bad, The Hungry," Chestnut revealed the unorthodox, strange, unique, kind-of-gross, mostly-genius workout routine he created leading up to a big eating competition.
So this is how @joeyjaws trains to eat 70+ hot dogs in 10 minutes 😮 (via @30for30) pic.twitter.com/qyOp7vydmQ
— ESPN (@espn) July 3, 2019
Mashing down on a stress ball. Lifting a bag of weights using his neck. Swallowing air and burping it up.
Gross? Genius? Both?
It's both. Joey Chestnut is maybe the most interesting man in the world. Sorry Dos Equis Guy, but Joey Chestnut just took your throne.
We all have that one friend who had an odd quirk, a signature party trick or even a funny story about meeting a celebrity. Imagine having Joey Chectnut over for dinner, and preparing a normal-sized meal. You'd be embarrassed to learn what he does for fun. I mean, even his resume is insane. Check out his accomplishments over the years and figure that out for yourself. The craziest part? This isn't even the complete list...
Joey Chestnut's World Records
Photo by Steven Ferdman/Getty Images)
- Shrimp Cocktail: 18 pounds, 9.6 ounces in eight minutes
- Mutton Sandwiches: 81 in 10 minutes
- Ice Cream Sandwiches: 25.5 in six minutes
- Hostess Donettes: 257 in six minutes
- 3-Inch Tortilla Tacos: 126 in eight minutes
- Glazed Donuts: 55 in eight minutes
- Gyros: 30 in 10 minutes
- Boysenberry Pie: 14.5 pounds in eight minutes
- Gumbo: 15 bowls (almost two gallons) in eight minutes
- Turkey: 9.35 pounds in 10 minutes
- Pierogis: 165 in eight minutes
- Fish Tacos: 30 in five minutes
- Deep Fried Asparagus: 12.8 pounds in 10 minutes
- Twinkies: 121 in six minutes
- Hard Boiled Eggs: 141 in eight minutes
- Apple Pie: 4.375 pies in eight minutes
- Corned Beef Sandwiches: 20 in 10 minutes
- Taco Bell Soft, Beef Tacos: 53 in 10 minutes
- Pizza Hut P'Zones: 7.5 in 10 minutes
- Philly Cheesesteaks: 23 in 10 minutes
- Funnel Cake: 5.9 pounds in 10 minutes
- Chicken Wings: 182 in 30 minutes
- Jalapeno Poppers: 118 in 10 minutes
- Grilled Cheese Sandwiches: 47 in 10 minutes
For a complete list, you can visit Chestnut's website.
Champion Joey Chestnut is the favorite to take first-place once again in 2023, looking to re-break his own world record.
