In a fitting tribute to our country’s birthday, Joey Chestnut won the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating competition held annually on Independence Day. His victory brings the mustard belt back to the United States — 9 of the previous 10 contests had been won by Japanese competitors. The Californian engulfed a new world record, 66 hot dogs. Takeru Kobayashi came into the competition with some form of jaw injury, but the defending champion put up quite the fight. With less than a minute to go, less than a single dog separated the two top eaters. In the end, Joey Chestnut won out, as Kobayashi saw a reversal that cost him a hot dog or two on the scoreboard. Kobayashi’s 63 hot dogs was enough to best the Nathan’s Famous record (53 3/4, set by Kobayashi himself in last year’s competition), as well as the world record of 59 1/2 set by Chestnut prior to the competition. But on the Fourth of July in Coney Island, it was American Joey Chestnut who bested the perennial favorite to bring home the Mustard Belt, $20,000 in cash money, and the pride of his hood.
Congrats to Joey Chestnut for excelling at what America is so great at — eating ungodly quantities of food.
Chesnut sets record, tops Kobayashi [Fox Sports]
