The King Is Dead

Since 2009 this site has sought to provide unrivaled coverage of the annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. In the recent tradition of other Internet writers, however, I no longer plan to cover the event. I’m content to have provided meta-commentary since 2009. Someone else can pick up the baton for the next 7 years.

But before I go, a link to the 2015 contest is in order. On Saturday, Matt “Megatoad” Stonie upset defending champion Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, downing 62 dogs to Chestnut’s 60. To be clear, despite the headline, Chestnut didn’t actually die. However, his run of eight championships in a row has ended. Chestnut’s defeat may have been a result of playing hurt, as he was nursing a broken heart:

After his victory last year, he dropped to one knee and proposed to his longtime girlfriend. They have since broken up.

How could a woman end a relationship with such a romantic? No doubt it had a negative impact on Chestnut, who simply couldn’t keep up with Stonie this year. One can only hope Chestnut’s heart will heal and he’ll be back in the hunt next year.

Link: http://espn.go.com/espn/story/_/id/13197879/matt-stonie-upsets-joey-chestnut-wins-nathan-hot-dog-eating-contest