Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest 2023 experiences lightning delay

The 2023 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest won’t be starting on time. The competitive eating competition is currently under a lightning delay, according to ESPN2.

Coverage of the event was slated to begin at Noon. However, it is being postponed.

There is no word yet on when the event will begin.

ESPN2 cut in and showed footage of Coney Island, home of the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, and it is currently pouring down rain. Joey Chestnut and other competitors have yet to take the stage.

“For those of you waiting to see the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, we’re waiting, too. … Currently in a delay because of severe weather at Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York,” an ESPN announcer said. “Joey Chestnut is going for his 16th championship. He is in the green room with the rest of his fellow competitors waiting this rain and lightning out.”

The competition will eventually get started on ESPN2, but it could be a while.

Joey Chestnut reveals his meal approach leading up to Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

Once the competition does get under way, Joey Chestnut will be going for his 16th title in the past 17 years. Chestnut’s domination doesn’t just happen by accident.

Chestnut trains his body to make sure he is ready for the big day, which comes yearly on July 4.

The competitive eater recently went on the Pardon My Take podcast and explained what his meal approach is like leading into July 4.

“So I had a little salad for dinner, a protein supplement,” Joey Chestnut said of what he ate on Sunday. “I might just have some over-easy eggs or something [Monday]. But really it’s going to be a liquid diet. And Tuesday I’ll go in completely empty the day of the contest.”

Chestnut does that so that he can fit as many hot dogs as possible into his stomach during the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest.

While he is the heavy favorite, he still has to train hard. Chestnut said that he doesn’t take anything for granted heading into a competition.

“I’ll never disrespect my competitors. These guys – Geoff Esper, an awesome eater out of Boston. And he’s actually beaten me a bunch. And for some reason he hasn’t been able to put together a good performance in hot dog,” Chestnut said. “But one of these days he’s going to surprise a lot of people, and I’ve got to make sure I’m not surprised. And I’m not going to be lazy. This guy really can eat 66, 67 hot dogs. He just hasn’t put it together yet.”