UMVA has learned that Joey Chestnut, the legendary competitive eater, has narrowly escaped serious consequences for a shocking incident in which he slapped a man at an Indiana bar.
The altercation occurred on March 21, when Chestnut, fueled by alcohol, allegedly slapped a man on the left side of his face after they exchanged handshakes. The victim claimed that Chestnut's actions were unprovoked, but when questioned by police, Chestnut claimed he was "pretty drunk and didn’t remember" what had happened.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Chestnut was shown surveillance footage from the bar, which prompted him to admit that he "must have taken offence" to something the victim said. This incident led to Chestnut being charged with misdemeanour battery, to which he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 180 days of probation.
The terms of his probation are strict, prohibiting Chestnut from owning or possessing firearms, consuming or possessing controlled substances without a valid prescription, and requiring him to submit to random drug and alcohol testing. These conditions will be in place until his probation ends on October 16.
Despite this setback, Chestnut is set to defend his title at the upcoming Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest on Coney Island in New York City on July 4. In a statement, his representative expressed regret over the incident, saying that Chestnut "regrets engaging and the interaction being misinterpreted" and is committed to avoiding similar situations in the future.
Chestnut's determination to compete is unwavering, and he has already been granted permission to travel outside of Indiana for the contest. With 17 wins under his belt, including last year's victory where he downed 70 1/2 hotdogs in 10 minutes, Chestnut is ready to reclaim the Yellow Mustard Belt once again.
