The winner of the 2024 Nathan’s Hot Dog eating contest, Patrick Bertoletti, acknowledges that his victory deserves an asterisk. He recognizes that Joey Chestnut is still the reigning wiener king and that his absence from the competition played a role in Bertoletti’s win. Despite this, Bertoletti believes that someone had to step up in Joey’s absence and win the competition.
Contrary to what some may think, Patrick Bertoletti and Joey Chestnut are actually good friends. Bertoletti revealed that he has known Joey for over 20 years, describing him as an older brother. Behind closed doors, the two competitive eaters can laugh about the situation, with Bertoletti even teasing Joey about his current title as the Nathan’s Hot Dog eating champ.
One of the big questions surrounding the competition is whether Joey Chestnut will return for future events. Bertoletti expressed that he would like to see Joey back for the Independence Day extravaganza, as he views this year as a gift due to Chestnut’s absence. Joey himself has mentioned that he would like to compete at least one more time, hinting that he may participate in future events, possibly even more Netflix contests.
After a year away from competitive eating, Patrick Bertoletti returned to the Nathan’s Hot Dog eating contest and emerged victorious. He discussed how it felt to be back in action and the challenges he faced during the competition. Despite the asterisk associated with his win, Bertoletti was proud of his performance and expressed his respect and admiration for his friend and competitor, Joey Chestnut.
The 2024 Nathan’s Hot Dog eating contest showcased the competitive spirit and camaraderie among the participants. While Bertoletti’s victory may have had an asterisk due to Chestnut’s absence, it was a well-deserved win that highlighted the talent and dedication of competitive eaters. The future of the competition looks promising, with the potential for Joey Chestnut to return to reclaim his title as the real wiener king.