Is Joey Chestnut A Legend In The Sports World?

Joey Chestnut won his 10th title after eating 72 hot dogs yesterday at the annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest in Brooklyn, NY. With the consumption of 72 hot dogs, Chestnut was able to set a record for the annual contest.

Chestnut has now won back-to-back titles after losing in 2015 to Matt "The Megatoad" Stonie. Before this small blemish on a dominant career, he had won every Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest since 2007. It's fair to assume that Chestnut has regained his stride.

In 2007, he took down the legend that is known as Takeru Kobayashi. He is credited for transforming competitive eating. Kobayashi's first title was in 2001 with the consumption of 50 hot dogs. Before that, the record for hot dogs consumed was 25. He went on to win the annual contest five more times in a row.

Is it fair to now consider Chestnut a legend in the sports world?

He now sits among some well-known athletes after reaching double-digits in the title count. NBA legend Bill Russell won 11 titles. New York Yankees legend Yogi Berra was apart of ten World Series championships.

I don't want to hear that Chestnut isn't an "athlete" because competitive eating isn't a "sport". These people vigorously train for competitive eating contests. They also take part in an activity that many people can't do.

When you're able to dominate the way he has, you deserve some sort of recognition. Chestnut doesn't just compete in hot dog eating contests. He's a four-time champion at the Hooters Worldwide Wing Eating Champion. Chestnut has also consumed 121 Twinkies in a six minute period.

By 2019, Chestnut might surpass all sports legends for most titles of all time. Will he be considered a legend then? He's changed the game already. He's taken competitive eating to a whole new level. Chestnut shows no sign of slowing down either.