Joey Chestnut chokes protestor during Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest 2022

(AP) Frankfurter-munching phenom Joey “Jaws” Chestnut gobbled his way to a 15th win Monday at the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest, powering down 63 hot dogs and buns at the annual exhibition of excess.

In a decisive chowdown comeback, women's record-holder Miki Sudo downed 40 wieners and buns to win the women's title after skipping last year's frank fest because she was pregnant.

A spectator wearing a Darth Vader mask rushed the stage, momentarily disrupting the competition. Chestnut put the protester in a brief chokehold before contest officials hurried over and escorted the intruder away.

Another protester in a white stormtrooper mask had also snuck behind the competitors and hoisted a sign saying, “Expose Smithfield's Deathstar.” Smithfield manufactures Nathan's famous hotdogs.

[DystopiaFatigue]

What I learned: Don't stand between Joey Chestnut and a hot dog.

[gjsilvano]

This didn't phase Joey at all, promptly took care of Darth Vader and went right back to his dog's, what a Champion!

[yourdogisbeautiful]

There’s so much to love about this:
The brief pause before realization
The absolute force of that choke slam
The equal force of immediately returning to demolishing dogs.
This is pure determination in action.

[kingofbunga]

I hope he doesn't think anyone's mad at him. Did what he had to do and still won. A true champion

[guineadragon]

I thought Joey snapped the protestors neck for a moment…. But now I can’t stop laughing 🤣

[zealot]

Fun fact: Expect the worse when you interfere with someone's personal space.

[serdominater]

Bro never even stopped eating either lmao

[docam]

Just another example of how people on stage have to police themselves due to lack of security.

[bigisrick]

Yet another reason he's a national treasure

[MrLukePierre]

That pause and realization is so fucking funny.

[Realwaltersobchak]

He has to be considered for greatest athlete of all time. 15 belts

[egroegartfart]

Where did the guy go? He just choke holded him and he disappeared. Lol.

[josephschrader]

Bro Joey was trying to slit his throat😂

[neilkale]

there is 10000 hot dogs worth of fuel in this biceps and the protestor looks like a soy eater, he stood no chance

[TheC-IV]

lol seemed like he didnt even care about what was happening he was just pissed he was ruining his eating rhythm

[johnnyred]

He still win's . Has to be the most gangster moment in all of sports!

[JazzAUPH]

The choke hold alone is worth 25 hotdogs gobbled. Joey's total should have been 88.

[rodcoulter]

CONGRATS JOEY…..never mess with a dude who can eat like that……lol.

[Lemmi]

How everybody just keeps eating like nothing happened 😂

[Haywood_Jablowmi]

I love the fact that the beat dropped at the perfect moment.