Not even a leg injury could stop Joey Chestnut, the world's No. 1-ranked eater, from emerging victorious in the annual Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest. Chestnut, who arrived on crutches and wearing a walking boot due to a ruptured tendon in his leg, was crowned champion for a seventh consecutive year and a record-extending 15th time overall.

The 38-year-old nicknamed "Jaws" failed to eat at least 70 hot dogs and buns (HDBs) for the first time since 2015 and yet still finished with a double-digit advantage over the runner-up. Chestnut, who bested his own world record in 2021 by eating 76 HDBs, downed 63 HDBs in 10 minutes as he cruised to victory. He ate 15.5 more HDBs than No. 2-ranked eater Geoffrey Esper, who came in second with 47.5.

Professional wrestler and Major League Eater Ronnie Hartman, aka Megabyte Ronnie, finished 14th with a total of 22 HDBs, unfortunately failing to take home championship gold. Hartman only managed to best Eric 'Badlands' Booker, who finished with 21 HDBs, and the last placed Christos Kyriazis with a meagre 9 HDBs.