Nathan’s 2023 Hot Dog Eating Contest back on after weather delay

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The much anticipated annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest for the men’s division will resume Tuesday afternoon after a brief delay due to lightning storms hanging over Brooklyn.

ESPN announced it would resume at 2 p.m Tuesday.

Hundreds had gathered at Coney Island in front of the iconic Nathan’s flagship restaurant to cheer for Joey Chestnut to claim his 16th victory at the event before the delay.

But following the women’s match this morning, where Miki Sudo secured her ninth win with 39 hot dogs, rain and lightning strikes almost put an end to the Fourth of July tradition.

Contest officials initially told the crowds the competition was being nixed.

“I’m very disappointed to tell you that after speaking to the NYPD, we have to dismiss the crowd and the competition is not going to happen. It’s too much of a lightning risk,” contest officials told spectators.

The crowd had been was frustrated with the initial decision to call it off, booing at the organizers and yelling, “This is bull–.”

Charlie Mura, 20, told the Post he had come all the way down from Canada to enjoy the Fourth of July tradition.

“I wanted to see Joey Chestnut eat like, 60, hotdogs,” the disappointed Canadian said.

“I feel like on the Fourth of July, [it’s] celebrating freedom… I’m pretty pissed,” he added. “It’s my God-given right to see this show. Rain or shine they should have hotdog eating contests.”

New Yorker Helen Velazquez, 20, echoed the sentiment, saying it was the wrong call off the event.

“The contestants literally dip the hotdogs in the water like what’s the point, put ponchos on them and go on.”

Tensions had risen at the Coney Island boardwalk when the contest was initially delayed due to weather, with organizers yelling at spectators to leave the area and stay away from the tents they had set up.

The crowd, seeking shelter from the rain, repeatedly argued with contest workers telling them to leave, with the two groups yelling at each other as the NYPD attempted to intervene.

As other spectators sought shelter by the nearby train station and even under staircases, one man running to escape the rain told The Post: “It’s like a water park for the Fourth of July!”

By Desheania Andrews, Rthvika Suvarna and Ronny Reyes