There’s a new Mustard Belt holder, and his name is Patrick Bertoletti. The world’s No. 9-ranked eater won his first Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest on Thursday, gobbling down a career-high 58 hot dogs and buns to squeak it out over pre-contest favorite Geoffrey Esper.
Bertoletti was making his ninth career appearance at the annual Fourth of July contest, and it was a heated contest between him, Esper and James Webb. At the halfway point, Webb led with 35, and Bertoletti was at 33. Going down the stretch, Webb, Bertoletti and Esper were separated by just a few hot dogs and buns, but ultimately no one could keep up with Bertoletti.
Esper finished with 53 hot dogs and buns — his fourth straight runner-up finish — and Webb had 52.