Competitive eating champion Joey Chestnut has received court approval to defend his title at the Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4 while serving probation for a misdemeanor battery charge.
Chestnut, the 17-time winner of the annual Coney Island event, pleaded guilty on April 20 to the misdemeanor battery charge in Hamilton County, Indiana. The plea stemmed from an incident on March 21 at a bar in Noblesville, Indiana, where he was accused of slapping a man in the face.
Court records show Chestnut was sentenced to 180 days of probation and ordered to pay a $189 fine. A judge suspended any jail time and granted him special permission to travel out of state for the July 4 contest in New York.
Chestnut’s attorney, Mario Massillamany, described the bar incident as “just a misunderstanding.” He added that Chestnut “understood that he wanted to accept responsibility for his actions, and he did.”
Richard Shea, president of Major League Eating, which oversees the Nathan’s contest, stated that the incident “did not violate Major League Eating’s code of conduct, as it occurred outside any organizational event or activity and it was addressed by local authorities.”
Chestnut reclaimed the Mustard Belt in 2025 by eating 70 1/2 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. He remains one of the most dominant figures in competitive eating.
This marks the latest chapter for the Indiana resident, who continues his preparations for the high-profile Independence Day event despite the ongoing probation term, which runs for 180 days.
