Joey Chestnut is cleared to compete in the Nathan’s Famous hot dog eating contest as the event marks the US’s 250th birthday and organizers say eligibility is unaffected by his guilty plea earlier this year.Chestnut, a 17-time winner with the men’s record of 76 hot dogs, is on probation after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor battery charge from an Indiana bar incident, and he will face Miki Sudo, an 11-time women’s champion with the women’s record of 51 hot dogs.Nathan’s Famous was sold to
Smithfield Foods earlier this year, but organizers say the change in ownership will not alter the Coney Island contest’s format, which gives competitors 10 minutes to eat as many hot dogs and buns as possible.