local
Joey Chestnut eats 66 hot dogs to again claim Mustard Belt at Nathan's Famous contest
By Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 4, 2026
· 3 min read
Crowds gathered in the sweltering heat Saturday to celebrate the United States' 250th birthday by watching famed competitive eater Joey “Jaws” Chestnut defend his world hot dog eating championship in Coney Island, where he downed 66 hot dogs in just 10 minutes. Miki Sudo defended her title as wel...
Key takeaway Saturday marked the 18th time Chestnut, 42, won the so-called Mustard Belt in just 21 appearances at the internationally televised Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
While San Antonio residents may not have been directly involved in the Nathan's Famous hot dog eating contest, the event's popularity can be seen in the city's own vibrant food culture. San Antonio's love for competitive eating and unique food challenges is evident in its numerous festivals and events throughout the year. The city's residents may be wondering how their own local eaters would fare in such a competition, or perhaps be inspired to create their own hot dog eating challenges. Additionally, the event's ability to draw in crowds and create a lively atmosphere is something that San Antonio's own event organizers may want to take note of, as they plan their own festivals and gatherings. The success of the Nathan's Famous contest can serve as a model for how to bring people together and create a fun, lively experience around food.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 4, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Crowds gathered in the sweltering heat Saturday to celebrate the United States' 250th birthday by watching famed competitive eater Joey “Jaws” Chestnut defend his world hot dog eating championship in Coney Island, where he downed 66 hot dogs in just 10 minutes. Miki Sudo defended her title as wel...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 4, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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