Stuffed up! Joey Chestnut has to wait because lightning delays the iconic 4th of July hot dog eating contest

America’s best hot dog eating contest was jeopardized Tuesday when a lightning delay ended Fourth of July festivities.

More than 30,000 people have descended on New York’s Coney Island to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday at Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest.

Earlier in the day, 38-year-old Women’s Champion Miki Sudo raced to victory as she captured her ninth title, steaming ahead of the pack with 39.5 hot dogs eaten in 10 minutes.

But as the huge crowd waited for reigning champion Joey Chestnut to take the stage, the game was halted due to lightning in the area.

He hopes to break his world record of 76 hot dogs in 10 minutes, while women’s champion Sudo holds the women’s record with 48.5.

Sudo roared in front of the field as she ate 39.5 hot dogs in 10 minutes

Second place Mayoi Ehibara put in a strong effort, but fell short of victory by six hot dogs

More than 30,000 people are expected to come to Coney Island, New York for the event

Participants are given 10 minutes to eat as many Nathan’s Famous hot dogs in buns as possible

The iconic hot dog-eating showdown has taken place every year at Coney Island, near Brooklyn, New York, for more than five decades.

It is considered one of the most important eating competitions in America and has been organized by the Major League Eating (MLE) since 1997.

This year, a fleet of former champions and special invitees from around the world take the stage, while others can qualify through preliminary competitions.

The winner will receive $10,000, while second place will receive $5,000 and third place will receive $2,500. The men’s and women’s winners also receive a huge, dazzling wrestling-style belt.

The annual event is a feature of the competitive dining scene every year, with the competition even being held behind closed doors in 2020 due to the pandemic.

Joey Chestnut (left) and Miki Sudo (right) are the favorites to win this year

Chestnut (left) pictured against rival eater Nick Wehry (right) during the opening ceremony of the match on July 3, 2023

The 2023 championship belts rest on a table during a weigh-in ceremony for the Nathan’s Famous July Fourth hot dog eating contest

The contestants have to eat as many hot dogs as they can in 10 minutes

Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Contest has been held every year for over five decades

Frenzied spectators get ready to party ahead of the game on July 4, 2023

The annual event draws huge crowds as revelers gather to watch the world’s fastest eaters

Participants are given 10 minutes to eat as many Nathan’s Famous hot dogs in buns as possible.

Other rules imposed on contestants to start the day include allowing drinks to help the hot dogs on their way down.

Each competitor gets their own judge and live scoring takes place during the race as the masses panic en masse.

Spices are also allowed, but unsurprisingly most participants choose not to bother.

While the players are often covered in hot dogs and drinks by the end of the 10 minutes, judges can hand out penalty cards for messy food.

If there is a tie at the end of the day, the Eaters will be forced to get down more hot dogs to win as the match goes to sudden death.

Spices are also allowed, but unsurprisingly most participants choose not to bother

Revelers dressed as hot dogs stand in anticipation before the game begins

A man with an umbrella with an American flag shields himself from the sun before the game

Huge crowds are expected at the annual game in New York’s Coney Island

Many in the audience hope to catch a glimpse of Joey Chestnut running to his historic sixteenth win at the competition.

The 39-year-old from Westfield, Indiana won the Fourth of July contest for the 15th time in 2022 when he devoured 63 dogs in 10 minutes.

Ever since he burst onto the scene by beating legendary eater Rich LeFevre in a 2005 fried asparagus eating championship, Chestnut has dominated the sport.

He has set 55 world records in food-related competitions during his illustrious career, including eating 141 hard-boiled eggs in eight minutes and 32 Big Mac sandwiches in 38 minutes.

Chestnut has secured a series of sponsorship deals to go along with his prize money as he has become one of the most successful competitive eaters of all time.

Last year, he told USA TODAY Sports that he earned over $500,000 and his net worth was over $4 million.

This year’s lineup features women’s champion Miki Sudo, 38, who captured her ninth title alongside Joey Chestnut.

Joey Chestnut is the big favorite this year thanks to his reputation as one of the greatest competitive eaters of all time

Chestnut is pictured with 2022 Women’s Champion Miki Sudo at the opening ceremony

Sudo is trying to win her ninth title this year

The two world champions compete against each other during the weigh-in ceremony

This year’s contest was greeted with an opening ceremony and weigh-in for the contestants, where Chestnut and Sudo went head-to-head to build hype for the event.

Ahead of her bid for a ninth title, Sudo revealed to DailyMail.com how she plans to beat the competition.

She currently holds the world record for most hot dogs eaten in 10 minutes, with 48.5 she set in 2020.

I feel really calm. I feel better than every year before. I’ve done a few workouts, but more importantly, I just feel like I’m in a really good place,” said Miki, who is third overall in Major League Eating.

‘[I’ve] been very mindful of what i ate, how i rested… spent some time at the gym.

“I went back and looked at some footage and I think I tweaked a few things to really have a strong performance this year.

“So, it’s only 11 days to go, I think I’m going to try to do another workout or do half a workout, just to really master that technique and… it would be a high achievement should be, a high number this year.’