Joey Chestnut, the perennial champion of the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, made headlines last year when a falling-out with the event’s organizers led to his being barred from competing, shocking fans nationwide.

But on this sweltering Fourth of July, outside the Nathan’s flagship restaurant at the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island, Mr. Chestnut returned to the men’s division of the competition with a vengeance, and spectators were riveted as Mr. Chestnut devoured 70.5 hot dogs in 10 minutes.

Though he didn’t beat his personal best of 76, Mr. Chestnut easily outmatched last year’s champion, Patrick Bertoletti, who consumed only 46.5 hot dogs.

Mr. Chestnut pumped his fist in the air in triumph. When asked how he felt about returning to the throne he had held for 16 years, Mr. Chestnut said, “I love being here.” He assured the crowd, “I’ll be back next year.”

Temperatures reached the high 80s as the sun beat down on the midday competition, making conditions less than ideal for record-breaking. It was also a rough day for Miki Sudo, the reigning champion of the women’s eating contest, who has 11 victories under her belt. She won handily with 33 hot dogs but fell short of her record of 51.

Ms. Sudo conceded that she had not been feeling her best and attributed her performance to the buns’ being “more doughy than usual.”