NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) -- Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest champ Joey Chestnut stopped eating wieners and buns mid-competition Monday to place an animal rights activist in a headlock, video shows.
Chestnut, 38, was furiously devouring the July 4 staple when the activist rushed the stage in a Darth Vader mask and bumped into him while holding up a sign.
Chestnut—who was wearing a medical boot due to a tendon injury—reacted immediately, putting the man in a headlock and tossing him aside to security before returning to eating and ultimately winning the competition.
A second protester in a Stormtrooper mask was also seen further back on stage.
Both protesters had signs that read, “Expose Smithfield’s Deathstar.” It’s an apparent reference to Smithfield Foods, the pork producer that counts Nathan’s Famous among its brands.
The NYPD told TMZ that three people were taken into custody with charges pending.
Chestnut has now won the Coney Island eating competition 15 times. He didn’t manage to break his all-time record of 76 hot dogs, set last year, but he still downed 20 more hot dogs than the runner-up.
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