The Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest has become a staple in July 4 festivities. The contest, however, was set to be canceled due to rain and lightning at Coney Island, as WABC-TV reported.
Fortunately, after major outrage from fans across social media and the hope that a turn of events would occur, ESPN revealed that the contest was not canceled and it would start at 2 p.m. ET. suffering just a delay instead.
After the delay of roughly two hours, Joey Chestnut won the contest for the 16th time in the past 17 years, consuming 62 hot dogs and buns. The runner-up, Geoffrey Esper, ate 49 hot dogs and buns.
🚨BREAKING NEWS!! 🚨The Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating contest will happen. 2pm est, following @SportsCenter on ESPN2. 🇺🇸🧨🌭
— Matt Barrie (@MattBarrie) July 4, 2023
The reactions poured in both in advance of the decision and also after it.
IT'S GO TIME!!!! pic.twitter.com/YIbMrEiiIQ
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) July 4, 2023
Joey Chestnut after the Hot Dog eating contest got canceled pic.twitter.com/l7ILIkuP6Z
— iregretlikingsports (@Jimmy2424555) July 4, 2023
Hot Dog Eating Contest cancelled due to weather conditions…
— Dan Magee (@CTdannymPA) July 4, 2023
Robbing Joey Chestnut, the greatest athlete of all time, of his 16th title - 8th in a row - is a national disaster in sports history.
This is the worst Fourth of July since July 4th, 1775 pic.twitter.com/0ZZl2wUado
Hear me out, I’m not saying the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest is going to happen, but @joeyjaws just came out and said and I quote, “I’m gonna get the rest of the guys out and we’re gonna do this f***er.” #nathansfamous #ESPN pic.twitter.com/PhOTQGrKWv
— Kenneth Heasley (@HeasleyK13) July 4, 2023
This is wild folks. The fans are chanting “JOEY! JOEY! JOEY!”
— dective reporter marky mark (@markkberger) July 4, 2023
America needs the #nathansfamous Hot Dog Eating contest here in Coney, Island, NEW YORK!
Joey Chestnut is saving America. Nathan’s Famous uncancelled? #nathansfamous #FourthofJuly pic.twitter.com/y2iGGknyBn
HOT DOG CONTEST IS BACK ON 🔥 pic.twitter.com/V3kkqdHo7x
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 4, 2023
— Mikey Jimenez (@Mikey_Jimenez) July 4, 2023
62 hotdogs in those weather conditions puts Joey Chestnut in the argument for greatest athlete of all time
— Will Compton (@_willcompton) July 4, 2023
idc about the record, Joey Chestnut is still the GOAT
— #ChivasDeHierro (@LainezSzn) July 4, 2023
He's still cooking these kids at his big old age
one of one#nathansfamous pic.twitter.com/GEwpnx0d57
