Chestnut Remains Undefeated In Cincinnati Brats

Cincinnati, OH The streak continues. Joey Chestnut ate 65.5 Brats in 10 minutes to win the 2018 Oktoberfest Zinzinnati World Bratwurst-Eating Championship to remain undefeated at the event. The victory marked his ninth straight, the first dating back in 2010.

To understand how long ago that was, consider that 2010 was marked by the remarkable rescue of miners at the San José copper and gold mine 28 miles north of Copiapó, Chile. Unless you’re overinvested in Chilean mining stocks and have constantly bemoaned their lack of growth over the past nine years—some ups, some downs, sure, but basically sideways—we would posit that it’s been a long time since you thought about Chile and mining and the plight of that industry’s proud workers or much else from 2010. Which is to say nine years is a long time. Chestnut’s total was but 4.5 Brats shy of his Cincinnati brat record of 70 Brats in 10 minutes, set in 2013.

After three minutes of contest time had elapsed, the result—barring disaster—was not in doubt. Chestnut is a brat-master and understands their tubular charms and challenges better than anyone. He would best Darron Breeden, who finished second with 48.25 brats in 10 minutes on debut, by a considerable margin, especially considering Breeden’s clear raw natural talent. (One imagines that Breeden’s sophomore effort next year will be another matter entirely.) Tip of the boater to Matt Hazzard, who continues to impress. He ate 39, to edge higher-ranked foes Gideon Oji and George Chiger by one brat. Derek Jacobs ate in jeans but no shoes, which was odd but his prerogative, for sixth with a tough 35.

Full results below.

FULL RESULTS! 1. Joey Chestnut 65.5 Brats in 10 Minutes 2. Darron Breeden 48.25 3. Matt Hazzard 39 4. Gideon Oji and George Chiger 38 6. Derek Jacobs 35 7. Darrien Thomas 26 8. Michael Whities 18 9. Sean Mulcahey 13 10. Randi Rico 7.25 11. Matthew Raible DQ