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So much for that old Chestnut.

The Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest crowned a new winner Thursday – with the annual July 4th competition newly invigorated by the absence of longtime champ Joey Chestnut amid a fight over vegan dogs.

Chicago’s Patrick Bertoletti, 39, took the Mustard Belt after wolfing down 58 franks and buns in a neck-and-neck, 10-minute race at Coney Island that saw the leader repeatedly bounce back and forth.


  Patrick Bertoletti was crowned king of the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating contest in Coney Island on Thursday. Paul Martinka for NY Post Patrick Bertoletti was crowned king of the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating contest in Coney Island on Thursday. Paul Martinka for NY Post

  Bertoletti ate 58 hot dogs in 10 minutes. ESPN Bertoletti ate 58 hot dogs in 10 minutes. ESPN

  The 39-year-old from Illinois last competed in the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest in 2022. AP The 39-year-old from Illinois last competed in the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest in 2022. AP

It’s the first time a man not named Chestnut has won the contest since 2015, and only the second time in the last 17 years.

“I wasn’t going to stop eating until the job was done,” Bertoletti said after securing his first-ever win.

What we know about the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest scandal

These are definitely dirty water dogs.

A contender in Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest was accused of beefing up his score to secure a spot among the sport’s elite contenders.

Nick Wehry — husband of women’s division champion Miki Sudo — scarfed down an impressive 46.75 hot dogs on the day of the July 4th competition. The 46.75 hot dogs earned him a fourth-place finish, according to footage and reports, including by The Post and ESPN.

But the official Major League Eating (MLE) results website published that Wehry put down 51.75 dirty water dogs, based on the number of empty plates stacked in front of their spot after the allotted time concluded.

Two sources close to the competition have told the Post that Wehry cheated to change the recorded results by “stealing plates” from another competitor’s stack and putting them on his own place setting.

After the scandal broke, Wehry has requested the MLE readjust his score back down to the 46.75, claiming he did not cheat but looking to avoid a re-evaluation.

Competitors relish the accomplishment of eating 50 hot dogs in the allotted time frame – something that separates the casual eater from the professionals.

Wehry was seen loitering around other competitors’ plates after the competition had ended.

Wehry’s wife, Sudo, set a new women’s record with 51 hot dogs, securing her spot as an elite eater.

“I knew when I was ahead in the beginning that these guys were going to catch up to me but I knew that I couldn’t slow down either.”

He managed to out-eat Geoffrey Esper, 49, of Massachusetts, who finished second with 53 dogs. Australian James Webb, 35, came in third after chowing down on 52 wieners.


  Bertoletti with women’s contest champion Miki Sudo. Paul Martinka for NY Post Bertoletti with women’s contest champion Miki Sudo. Paul Martinka for NY Post

  The crowd gathered to watch the hot dog eating contest in Coney Island. Paul Martinka for NY Post The crowd gathered to watch the hot dog eating contest in Coney Island. Paul Martinka for NY Post

Earlier, reigning champ Miki Sudo gave the men a run for their money after clinching the women’s title with a world record-breaking 51 dogs in 10 minutes.

“Breaking 50 is a milestone for all women and I’m really excited to be a part of it,” she told The Post exclusively after winning her 10th pink belt.

While Bertoletti managed to best his prior record of 55 hot dogs, it was a far cry from the record-breaking 76 franks Chestnut managed back in 2021. 


  Sudo watching her husband Nick Wehry compete. Paul Martinka for NY Post Sudo watching her husband Nick Wehry compete. Paul Martinka for NY Post

  Geoffery Esper finished in second place. Paul Martinka for NY Post Geoffery Esper finished in second place. Paul Martinka for NY Post

  Australian James Webb finished in third place. Paul Martinka for NY Post Australian James Webb finished in third place. Paul Martinka for NY Post

  Before being banned this year, Joey Chestnut had taken out the title for 16 years. REUTERS Before being banned this year, Joey Chestnut had taken out the title for 16 years. REUTERS

Better known as “Jaws,” Chestnut was banned from this year’s beef-eating competition in dramatic fashion after he cut a deal with rival brand Impossible Foods, which is famous for its meatless Impossible Burger.

Major League Eating, which Nathan’s sanctions to run the event, insisted Chestnut had been aware of the hot dog exclusivity provisions for the nearly two decades he’s been scarfing down record-breaking franks.

“Joey was not banned. Joey chose not to compete in the contest the moment he chose to make an endorsement deal with one of Nathan’s competitors,” a rep said after The Post broke the news of the controversy.

After holding out hope he’d be allowed to compete, a “devastated” Chestnut said he set to take his hot dog-downing talents to the Fort Bliss army base in El Paso, Texas, to compete against soldiers this Independence Day instead.

Last year, Chestnut won the Coney Island competition by eating 62 dogs in 10 minutes.

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