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Joey Chestnut Dips Toes Into Esports by Swallowing Entire Switch Library

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NEW YORK — Famous challenge eater Joey Chestnut attempted to broaden his fanbase into the gaming world by publicly swallowing all 529 commercially released Nintendo Switch cartridges in a record time of 9:16.32.

ā€œAfter breaking the hotdog eating record year after year, you start to look for new opportunities,ā€ said Chestnut, well known for his ability to eat 75 Nathan’s Famous hotdogs and buns in ten minutes. ā€œI’ve been eyeing esports for some time, and while I’m never going to make it on Team Liquid or anything, I felt I could contribute in my own special way.ā€

Chestnut took to the pier at Brooklyn’s Coney Island on Tuesday with a glass of water and the entire Switch catalogue in hand. ā€œThe trick is like anything else: avoid chewing, and pace yourself,ā€ said Chestnut, who some regard as an American hero. ā€œI started strong but the bitter plastic coating got to me around minute five. I think I could easily shave 70+ seconds off next time.ā€

Chestnut believes the current Major League Eating record of 564 oysters in 8 minutes shows the potential of where times could end up.

ā€œWe’re excited for this budding move to esports in the professional eating community,ā€ said George Shea, Major League Eating co-founder and Master of Ceremonies. ā€œIf there’s one thing the YouTube audience loves more than watching our athletes eat massive amounts of food, it’s video games.ā€

Said Shea, ā€œWe’re already planning our first major event, Games Digested Quick. Player Unknown’s Battlegrounds will be sponsoring a contest where competitors will eat a full roast chicken dinner, energy drink, and regulation AUG A3 Assault Rifle.ā€

Chestnut is excited for the upcoming challenges, despite what critics have to say.

ā€œThere are plenty of people out there telling me what I do is disgusting. That it is excessive and a flagrant display of Western privilege,ā€ remarked Chestnut. ā€œAnd I agree, video games are all of those things. But I’m still going to eat them.ā€