Nathan's Famous 4th of July hot dog eating contest returns to its historic Coney Island location for the first time since the pandemic, with World Champion Joey Chestnut keeping his title but falling short of breaking a record and briefly interrupted by an animal rights activist. Top-ranked female Miki Sudo regained her title after missing the competition last year due to pregnancy. "This is the greatest sporting competition in the history of the world," says one audience member dressed as a hot dog, celebrating the fact that the event "brings everybody together" for the American National holiday. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES