India, June 29 -- Joey Chestnut, the 16-time champion of the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, is set to compete in the 2025 event next month at Coney Island, New York. Days ahead of the contest, the 41-year-old told The New York Post that he's hungry and is staying that way 'no matter what'. He is coming off a 2024 ban due to a sponsorship conflict with Impossible Foods.

"I'm hungry. That's all it is. I'm staying hungry no matter what. I'm expecting to eat uncomfortable and bloated and I'm ignoring whatever feelings it takes to get there," Chestnut told The Post.

When asked if he feels the pressure, the 41-year-old added: "I wouldn't say pressure, it's more of support. Every once in a while you get a little bit of pressure from p...