Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest 2022: Joey Chestnut wins 15th Mustard Belt in impressive fashion

Chestnut collected his 15th Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest title -- despite competing Monday on a ruptured tendon

For the 15th time in his career, Joey Chestnut has captured the Mustard Belt on Fourth of July weekend. Chestnut won the 2022 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest by eating 63 hot dogs and buns.

Geoffrey Esper finished in second place with 47½ hot dogs and buns while James Webb took home third place with 41 hot dogs and buns.

It also marked the first time since 2019 that the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest is back at its traditional location on the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Brooklyn.

With the 2022 title in tow, Chestnut has won 15 of the past 16 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contests dating back to 2007.

Three minutes into the contest, Chestnut ate 29 hot dogs and buns and raced out to a lead of eight over the likes of Geoffrey Esper and James Webb. Despite being hobbled with a leg injury, Chestnut maintained a double-digit lead throughout the final six minutes of the competition.

Chestnut might have been affected by the leg injury; he finished with his lowest total since 2015, when he downed 60 hot dogs and buns and finished in second place behind Matt Stonie.

On the women's side, Miki Sudo won with 40 hot dogs and buns. It marked Sudo's ninth consecutive Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest victory in contests in which she has competed. She missed the 2021 installment due to the birth of her son.

[Jul 4, 2022 at 1:03 pm ET · Chris Bengel]

Joey Chestnut leaves no doubt as he wins the 2022 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. Chestnut downed 63 hot dogs and buns en route to his 15th Mustard Belt.

[Jul 4, 2022 at 12:54 pm ET · Chris Bengel]

Joey Chestnut is absolutely obliterating the competition. "Jaws" just hit 50 hot dogs and dogs with 3:10 remaining in the contest. Chestnut has held a double-digit lead throughout the majority of the competition. The world record is off the table, but Chestnut is still showcasing his dominance.

[Jul 4, 2022 at 12:47 pm ET · Chris Bengel]

The 2022 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest is officially underway. It'll be interesting to see if Chestnut's leg injury hinders his process at all today.

[Jul 4, 2022 at 12:42 pm ET · Chris Bengel]

Joey "Jaws" Chestnut hits the stage at Coney Island. Chestnut will be looking to break his personal record of 76 hot dogs and buns in the 2022 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. He will also be attempting to win his 15th Mustard Belt today.

[Jul 4, 2022 at 12:37 pm ET · Chris Bengel]

Seeing a huge live crowd in attendance for the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest is phenomenal. It definitely wasn't the same over the past few years during the COVID-19 pandemic.

[Jul 4, 2022 at 12:05 pm ET · Chris Bengel]

Joey Chestnut has won 14 of the last 15 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contests dating back to 2007. As should come as no surprise, the man they call "Jaws" is a -3000 favorite over the entire field, according to Caesars Sportsbook. Chestnut will be looking to break his own personal record of 76 hot dogs and buns, which he set in 2021. However, he'll be forced to do it at less than 100 percent. Chestnut is dealing with a ruptured tendon in his leg and is currently on crutches.

[Jul 4, 2022 at 11:13 am ET · Chris Bengel]

Miki Sudo ate 40 hot dogs and buns to win the women's 2022 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. It marked Sudo's ninth consecutive Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest victory in contests that she's competed in. Sudo missed the 2021 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest due to her pregnancy.