Now serving silver linings!
69 hot dogs will fill ya up ... so says food devouring champ Joey Chestnut ... who told our photog today in New York that he still hasn't eaten since yesterday's big event. Chestnut -- who took home the title at Nathan's 98th Annual Hot Dog Eating Contest -- told our guy he had a major case of the meat sweats after the big event ... so much so he smelled like "a big piece of meat."
And get this ... Chestnut he's consumed nothing but liquids since yesterday ... no food yet.
Take it slow, Joey. Take it slow.
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Chestnut won the competition last year with 62 dogs, but this year he went above and beyond ... taking home the $10,000 grand prize and a mustard-yellow championship belt. Chestnut's previous personal best was 68 hot dogs.
He obliterated the competition too ... the 2nd place winner Matt Stonie only ate 51 hot dogs.
As for the women, Sonya "Black Widow" Thomas came in first with 37 hot dogs ... pretty damn scary.
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Chestnut chewed up and spit out the competition as he devoured 179 WINGS in just 10 minutes ... taking the title for the second year in a row.
The 29-year-old had some fierce competition during the event in Clearwater, Florida -- legendary eaters like Eric "Badlands" Booker and Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas.
Of course, Chestnut is also the reigning Nathan's hot dog eating champ -- and has also earned titles in the world of matzo balls, mac and cheese, shrimp wontons and corn beef sandwiches.
R.I.P chickens ...
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