CONEY ISLAND — America. Land of the Free, Home of the Brave, and the home of the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest.
On the 4th of July, Coney Island hosted the Annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest where Joey Chestnut continues to be a champion. The 15 time hot dog eating champion destroyed competition this year by scarfing down 63 hot dogs and buns, 23 more than the next closest competitor.
This year, the champions performance was interrupted by an animal-rights protester. The protester, who was wearing a Darth Vader mask held up a sign that said, “Expose Smithfield’s Deathstar”. The man ran up to Chestnut, bumped into him, and was promptly put in a chokehold by the champion and thrown to the ground.
Joey Chestnut's chokehold in Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest
Barstool Sports’ Dave Portnoy said in a tweet:
Joey Chestnut defending his crown on 4th of July while on crutches while beating up a protester mid competition will go down as one of the most athletic, most patriotic, most heroic performances in the history of not only this country, but the world.
Chestnut stated he suffered a ruptured tendon in his leg was on crutches.
The protester identified as Scott Gilbertson, 21 from California, was arrested and charged with criminal trespassing, disorderly conduct, and harassment. Two more protesters, Robert Yamada 42 from Arizona, and Joshua Marxen, 31 from California was arrested and charged with criminal trespassing and disorderly conduct.
The activist group Direct Action Everywhere has claimed responsibility.
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Comments
Don't mess with Joey Chestnut while he's downing dogs.....
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