Forget Joey Chestnut these are the top competitors in the Nathans Hot Dog Eating contest

There are new dogs in this fight.This year’s Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest is up for grabs after sixteen-time champion Joey Chestnut was banned from the annual July 4 showdown after signing a deal with vegan protein purveyor Impossible Foods.

“With Joey out, there is a pretty big door open,” said Nick Wehry.He’s one of 14 hopefuls who will be competing in the men’s event at the famous Coney Island showdown.

(Another 14 eaters will face off in the women’s event.) To be eligible to compete, eaters must win a regional qualifying event, have been a past champion or be specially invited by Major League Eating, the organization that oversees competitive eating events.Competitors have 10-minutes to eat as many hot dogs and buns as they can on the stage at Stillwell and Surf Avenues.

Utensils and condiments are banned.Vomiting is grounds for disqualification.

Any franks in a competitor’s mouth at the buzzer count towards the total, as do partial wieners.Last year, Chestnut won by eating 62 dogs; in 2021, he set a record by scarfing 71 links.(This year, after being ousted from Nathan’s, he will be taking part in a different hot dog competition with soldiers in Fort Bliss, Texas.)At stake is $20,000 in prize money — $10,000 each for the winners of the men’s and women’s events.

Miki Sudo, 38, claimed the women’s title in 2023, her 9th championship.She told The Post that this year “is going to be incredibly exciting” with Chestnut out.

 “I think it will be a dog fight that might even be won by a quarter of a hot dog,” said Sudo, who holds the women’s world record, inhaling 48.5 hot dogs in 10 minutes. “With Joey out, you will basically see five or six guys really really push each other.Have a look.

Age: 352023 Hot Dog Eating Contest Performance: 4th place, ate 45 hot dogsCareer highlight: Setting a world record in 2021 by eating 50 hardboiled eggs in 3 minutes, 4 seconds“This will be my seventh year competing, I am cl...