Joey “Jaws” Chestnut won his record 10th men’s title in the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest by consuming an event-record and personal-best 72 dogs and buns in 10 minutes on Tuesday.
Miki Sudo also set a personal best by devouring 41 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes to win her record fourth consecutive women’s title at the annual Fourth of July event.
During the men’s competition, five people were taken into custody for trying to disrupt the event, police said. The people appeared to be attempting to unfold a black banner before police stopped them and took them away. They were taken to a precinct where they were questioned and released, police said.
The demonstrators later issued a statement saying they were from a group called Direct Action Everywhere, and want Nathan’s to stop holding the contest.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals members separately had been giving away free vegan hot dogs outside the event, but spokeswoman Tricia Lebkuecher said the people arrested inside weren’t affiliated with PETA.
Chestnut’s previous personal best was 70 dogs and buns, which he set last year.
“There’s no secret: I love to eat, and I love doing it, I love to win, so I had to figure out my body and push it to the limit,” a sweating Chestnut said after his win. The 33-year-old said he’d hoped to down even more dogs but was leaving feeling good.
Sudo, 31, told ESPN she “just came back better than ever” this year.
Tuesday’s win was Chestnut’s second consecutive men’s title. Carmen Cincotti, 24, finished second by eating 62 dogs and buns. Matt “The Megatoad” Stonie, who won the Nathan’s Famous contest in 2015, came in third with 48 franks and buns.
Michelle Lesco, 33, finished second in the women’s competition with 32½ dogs and buns. Sonya “Black Widow” Thomas, 50, was third with 30 in the contest, which has been held at Coney Island, in New York, since 1972.
Sudo originally was credited with 36 hot dogs eaten until her total was adjusted to 41. Sudo’s previous personal best in the contest was 38 dogs, in both 2015 and 2016. Thomas holds the record with 45 in 2012.
Sudo and Thomas were tied for consecutive wins with three entering Tuesday’s event. Thomas won three straight from 2011 to 2013. Before 2011, women’s eaters competed alongside men.
The Associated Press contributed to this report