Patrick Bertoletti eyes “60‑Dog Club” as Joey Chestnut returns to Nathan’s Contest 2025

Patrick Bertoletti, the reigning champion of the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest, is gearing up for a high-stakes title defense at Coney Island. After downing a personal best of 58 hot dogs last year to clinch the coveted Mustard Belt in Joey Chestnut’s absence, Bertoletti is now focused on pushing past the “60‑dog club.

” “I’ll be eating next to [Chestnut] and he’s crazy fast out of the gate. That’s just extra motivation and drive,” he tells TMZ Sports. With Chestnut—the long-time “Jaws” of competitive eating—making his comeback, what was a surprise championship could turn into one of the most intense rivalries in hot dog history.

How Bertoletti’s competitive streak makes him the perfect candidate for this challenge

Bertoletti, 40, began competitive eating in 2007, earning the nickname “Deep Dish” through his record-breaking performances in events like chicken wings, cream-filled doughnuts, and peanut butter & jelly sandwiches.

With that experience fueling his confidence, he’s embracing new pressure as the defending champ. “It does feel weird because […] I’m not used to being the champ…but it feels good,” he explains in the TMZ video.Bertoletti says the anxiety linked to the title isn’t negative—it’s energizing. With the goal of breaking the 60‑hot‑dog barrier, he’s strategically pushing his training. “The goal is to improve on 58…if I could get into the 60 club, […] but 60 would be great,” he states .

He anticipates that Chestnut’s blistering pace will ground him in focus: “If you have somebody like that next to you pushing the pace, […] you’re just gonna be focusing on keeping up with him.

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What is at stake for Bertoletti

Joey Chestnut, a 16‑time Nathan’s champion, was controversially barred from the 2024 contest due to a vegan sponsorship conflict but is set to return on July 4, 2025. With a staggering 76‑hot‑dog record in 2021 and an ambitious 80‑dog target this year, Chestnut’s comeback sets the stage for a showdown.

His absence last year left fans and athletes like Bertoletti feeling the competition was incomplete. For Bertoletti, Chestnut’s presence is not just a challenge—it’s validation.

“It didn’t feel right without him there,” he reflected.For Bertoletti, this year’s contest brings more than the title. Establishing himself in the “60‑dog club” would cement his status among the elite of the sport. Equally, it's a rare shot to beat Chestnut head‑to‑head—a victory that could redefine his career.

The contest’s broader narrative—legendary return, underdog champion, historic milestone—is captivating audiences beyond typical food‐sport fans.Also read: Celebrities spotted at Wimbledon 2025: David Beckham, Nick Jonas, John Cena and moreAs Independence Day approaches and Coney Island prepares for its annual spectacle, the clash between Patrick Bertoletti and Joey Chestnut promises to deliver drama, records, and edge‑of‑seat competition. Bertoletti’s 58‑dog triumph was historic; a 60‑dog performance would be groundbreaking. Yet the spotlight now shifts to Chestnut, the unbeatable force eager to reclaim his throne. Whether a new era begins or the old guard reasserts dominance, this Fourth of July showdown stands poised to become one of the most memorable chapters in hot dog eating lore.