Additional Coverage:
- Joey Chestnut sentenced to probation after pleading guilty to drunkenly slapping a man at bar (foxnews.com)
Joey Chestnut, renowned for his dominance in competitive eating, has been sentenced to 180 days of probation following a guilty plea to a misdemeanor battery charge, according to court records.
The incident occurred in Chestnut’s home state of Indiana at Joe’s Grill in Hamilton County around 2 a.m. on March 21. Reports indicate that the 17-time Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest champion, while intoxicated, slapped a man in the face after the victim approached and shook his hand.
An affidavit from the responding officer detailed that Chestnut pulled the man closer before delivering an open-handed slap to the left side of his face. The victim reacted by lowering his head and attempting to distance himself, while Chestnut allegedly used provocative language to elicit a response. The officer noted that the victim experienced pain and bodily injury as a result of the incident.
Chestnut, who stated he was “pretty drunk and didn’t remember” the event, accepted full responsibility for the altercation through his legal counsel. The matter was reportedly resolved swiftly.
Despite the legal setback, Chestnut has been granted permission to travel outside Indiana. This allowance enables him to participate in the upcoming Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4 at Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York, where he aims to secure his 18th title in 19 attempts.
It is worth noting that Chestnut was barred from the 2024 contest after signing with Nathan’s competitor Impossible Foods. However, he returned to the competition last year following a sponsorship agreement with Nathan’s organizers.
Chestnut’s probationary period will require him to maintain good behavior, but he remains a central figure in the world of competitive eating as the July contest approaches.