PEOPLE
NEW YORK — Joey “Jaws” Chestnut ate 71 wieners and buns to secure his 12th title at Nathan's Famous annual July Fourth hot dog eating contest on Thursday, just a few hot dogs shy of breaking the record he set last year.
In front of a crowd of fans and facing 17 opponents, the California native far exceeded his nearest competitors, but didn't quite make or pass the 74-dog mark he reached in 2018.
When asked how he felt after the contest, Chestnut, 35, said “I feel like I should eat a couple more.
“I knew it was going to be close. I was trying hard and I was overstuffing my mouth and it wasn't going down,” he said. “I just needed to find a way to move a little bit faster. I think it's getting harder the older I get.”
Miki Sudo had already won the women's competition by chomping down 31 hot dogs.
The 33-year-old fell short of her total last year of 37 frankfurters but earned her sixth consecutive title by easily beating runner-up Michelle Lesco, who wolfed down 26.
Like Chestnut, she expressed some disappointment in not eating more.
“It wasn't my best number, the numbers were pretty low across the board. I don't know if it was the heat, but I really can't complain,” she said.
Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas holds the all-time women's record of 45 hot dogs in 10 minutes.
Chestnut and Sudo will each take home $10,000.
NEW YORK — Halle Bailey, half of the sister duo Chloe x Halle, will next be going under the sea, starring as Ariel in the upcoming adaptation of “The Little Mermaid.”The live-action version will include original songs from the 1989 animated hit as well as new tunes from original composer Alan Menken and “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda. Some of the tunes include “Under the Sea,” “Part of Your World” and “Kiss the Girl.”Bailey will join Jacob Tremblay and Awkwafina in the film, which will be directed by Rob Marshall, who helmed “Mary Poppins Returns.”By Associated Press
