Still champion: Joey Chestnut wins 8th straight Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

If it’s the Fourth of July in America, it’s time to watch former San Jose and Vallejo resident Joey “Jaws” Chestnut downing hot dogs faster than any other competitor.

Chestnut added to his legacy Tuesday with his eighth straight Independence Day victory and 16th overall in the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York.

Chestnut, 39, downed 62 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes, 13 better than runner-up Geoffrey Esper, of Oxford, Massachusetts and enough to put him atop an international field of 15 competitive eaters.

Chestnut’s victory was his 16th in the past 17 hot-dog eating contests. The only exception came in 2015, when fellow American Matt Stonie beat Chestnut 62-60.

In the women’s contest, defending champion Miki Sudo forced down 39 1/2 hot dogs and buns to collect her ninth Mustard Belt. But before the men could compete, stormy weather moved over New York City’s Coney Island and delayed the competition for two hours.

“What a roller coaster, emotionally,” Chestnut said after riding out the rain and wondering whether the famed contest would go on at all.

“If affected me,” Chestnut told ESPN2 when it was over. “But it’s the Fourth of July. I got to eat some hot dogs and get a win.”

Chestnut’s final total fell shy of his record-consuming amount of 76, set in 2001. Chestnut told the network that he has his eyes set on breaking it eventually.

“It’s nice to know I can push my body to new limits, but (Tuesday), things got in the way,” he said.

James Webb, of Australia, finished in third place with 47 hot dogs and buns consumed.

Sudo beat Mayoi Ebihara’s 33 1/2 hot dogs in 10 minutes in a women’s event that appeared to be much closer until the final count was announced. The unofficial real-time counter showed the two leaders tied throughout much of the competition. A final count of plates settled the score.

Sudo, 37, was disappointed in her winning total, which was nine hot dogs short of her all-time high. She said competition from the 27-year-old Ebihara had thrown her off.

“The first couple minutes, I found myself watching her, which I never want to do. I never want to be distracted by the other competitors,” Sudo, of Port Richey, Florida, said after the competition. “Watching her, I fumbled my hands. I got stuck with a big burp early on but was able to correct.”

The annual contest on New York City’s Coney Island drew competitors from England, Canada, South Korea, Japan, Brazil and Australia, according to ESPN.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.