Fourth of July: Matt Stonie Defeats Champion Joey Chestnut, Wins Nathan's Hot Dog Title

Joey Chestnut lost his crown at this year's Coney Island contest.

ByABC News
July 4, 2015, 1:27 PM

— -- Matt Stonie won Nathan's annual hot dog-eating contest on Coney Island today, defeating defending champion Joey Chestnut.

Stonie had 62 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes, while Chestnut had 60 hot dogs and buns.

"I couldn't catch him," Chestnut said to ESPN.

"He deserved to win," Chestnut added.

PHOTO: Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams watches Joey Chestnut, left, and Matt Stonie, right, during a news conference to promote the upcoming Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot-Dog Eating Contest, July 3, 2015, at Brooklyn Borough Hall in New York.
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams watches Joey Chestnut, left, and Matt Stonie, right, during a news conference to promote the upcoming Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot-Dog Eating Contest Friday, July 3, 2015, at Brooklyn Borough Hall in New York.

The contest is a New York City 4th of July tradition, when contestants gather on stage to eat as many hot dogs and buns as they can. This was the 99th year of competition.

Chestnut won last year, devouring 61 hot dogs in 10 minutes. Stonie lost to Chestnut by five hot dogs last year.

"To beat him by a couple hot dogs... I trained hard for this," Stonie told ESPN today.

Miki Sudo won the women's division for the second year in a row today, wolfing down 38 hot dogs in 10 minutes. She beat her own record from last year, when she ate 34 hot dogs.