local
Joey Chestnut eats 66 hot dogs to again claim Mustard Belt at Nathan's Famous contest
By Safiyah Riddle | The Associated Press at NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS)
· July 4, 2026
· 3 min read
Crowds gathered in the sweltering heat Saturday to celebrate the United States’ 250th birthday by watching famed competitive eater Joey “Jaws” Chestnut defend his world hot dog eating championship in Coney Island, where he downed 66 hot dogs in just 10 minutes. Miki Sudo defended her title as wel...
Key takeaway Saturday marked the 18th time Chestnut, 42, won the so-called Mustard Belt in just 21 appearances at the internationally televised Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest.
Why this matters in The Trophy Club
While Joey Chestnut's hot dog eating championship win may seem like a distant spectacle, Trophy Club residents can appreciate the competitive spirit that drives athletes like Chestnut to push their limits. The same determination that fuels Chestnut's training regimen is likely found in local athletes competing in sports leagues and events throughout Denton County. As the community celebrates its own Independence Day festivities, residents can draw inspiration from Chestnut's dedication to his craft, whether it's competitive eating or another pursuit. The fact that Chestnut has made a career out of his unique talent also highlights the importance of embracing individuality and finding one's passion, values that are likely to resonate with Trophy Club's community-oriented residents. As the town looks to its own local events and competitions, Chestnut's win serves as a reminder that excellence can be achieved with hard work and perseverance, regardless of the field or activity.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) . The Trophy Club surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 4, 2026 ·
Source: NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Crowds gathered in the sweltering heat Saturday to celebrate the United States’ 250th birthday by watching famed competitive eater Joey “Jaws” Chestnut defend his world hot dog eating championship in Coney Island, where he downed 66 hot dogs in just 10 minutes. Miki Sudo defended her title as wel...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 4, 2026 by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) and curated for The Trophy Club readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Safiyah Riddle | The Associated Press at NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS). To learn more about how The Trophy Club selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Trophy Club, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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