NEW YORK (July 4) - Joey Chestnut chomped down a record 68 hot dogs, capturing his third straight July Fourth hot-dog eating contest at Coney Island, an annual showcase for flamboyant hot dogging contestants eager to show they really are what they eat.
The Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest is held in Coney Island in New York, Saturday, July 4, 2009. Joey Chestnut of San Jose, California won the 2009 Nathan's Famous Hot Dog-Eating Contest, defeating former champion, Takeru Kobayashi of Nagano, Japan. (AP Photo/Yanina Manolova)
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George Shea, center, of Major League Eaters, presents the annual Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest in Coney Island in New York, Saturday, July 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Yanina Manolova)
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George Shea, center, of Major League Eaters, presents the annual Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest in Coney Island in New York, Saturday, July 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Yanina Manolova)
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The Coney Island Strong Man entertains the crowd at the annual Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest in New York, Saturday, July 4, 2009. (AP Photo/Yanina Manolova)
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NEW YORK - JULY 4: A crowd gathers before the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest begins on July 4, 2009 in Coney Island in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Joey Chestnut of San Jose, California defeated Takeru Kobayashi of Nagano, Japan with eating 68 to his 64.5 hotdogs. Kobayashi won six previous competitions before tying last year with Chestnut. (Photo by Yana Paskova/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK - JULY 4: A costumed man entertains the crowd before the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest begins on July 4, 2009 in Coney Island in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Joey Chestnut of San Jose, California defeated Takeru Kobayashi of Nagano, Japan with eating 68 to his 64.5 hotdogs. Kobayashi won six previous competitions before tying last year with Chestnut. (Photo by Yana Paskova/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK - JULY 4: A crowd gathers before the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest begins on July 4, 2009 in Coney Island in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Joey Chestnut of San Jose, California defeated Takeru Kobayashi of Nagano, Japan with eating 68 to his 64.5 hotdogs. Kobayashi won six previous competitions before tying last year with Chestnut. (Photo by Yana Paskova/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK - JULY 4: A family eats hot dogs in front of an advertisement for the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest, to undergo later that day, on July 4, 2009 in Coney Island in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Joey Chestnut of San Jose, California defeated Takeru Kobayashi of Nagano, Japan with eating 68 to his 64.5 hotdogs. Kobayashi won six previous competitions before tying last year with Chestnut. (Photo by Yana Paskova/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK - JULY 4: Chairman of Major League Eating George Shea (L) screams to the crowd as a woman dressed as a nun shoots a T-shirt into the crowd before the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest begins on July 4, 2009 in Coney Island in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Joey Chestnut of San Jose, California defeated Takeru Kobayashi of Nagano, Japan with eating 68 to his 64.5 hotdogs. Kobayashi won six previous competitions before tying last year with Chestnut. (Photo by Yana Paskova/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** George Shea
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NEW YORK - JULY 4: Joey Chestnut of San Jose, California (C) smiles while stuffing hot dogs into his mouth next to his opponent, Takeru Kobayashi of Nagano, Japan (R) during Nathan's Famous Fourth of July hot dog eating contest on July 4, 2009 in Coney Island in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Chestnut defeated Kobayashi with eating 68 to his 64.5 hotdogs. Kobayashi won six previous competitions before tying last year with Chestnut. (Photo by Yana Paskova/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Takeru Kobayashi;Joey Chestnut
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Chestnut of San Jose, Calif., hoisted the American flag and then stood proudly like an Olympic athlete as "The Star-Spangled Banner" played following his 68 to 64 1/2 dog victory over his archrival, six-time titleholder Takeru Kobayashi.
As soon as he knew he had won, he shot his right fist into the air, his mouth still bulging while he chewed the last of his wieners at Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest.
"This is great," Chestnut told ESPN, which broadcast the 10-minute contest live. "After the second minute, I knew that my body was cooperating and it was going to be hard to beat me."
The 25-year-old Chestnut led most of the way, seemingly coasting to victory in contrast to last year, when he and his Japanese rival both gobbled 59 hot dogs, forcing a dramatic five hot dog eat-off before Chestnut emerged victorious.
His lead was a contrast to 2005, when Kobayashi trounced Chestnut 49 dogs to 32 dogs. And the number of dogs consumed showed how far the contest has come since the first one in 1916, when 13 dogs were enough to win. Even by 2000, 25 dogs secured victory.
On Saturday, Chestnut and Kobayashi far outpaced their closest competitor, third-place finisher Patrick Bertoletti, who downed 55 frankfurters.
Showboating for the cameras prior to the contest, 19 contestants were introduced individually with the kind of fanfare normally reserved for the start of a professional sports championship.
Under sunny skies and with a giant blowup Heintz ketchup container at the side of the stage, the contestants got off to a start they could relish.
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Denis Poroy, AP
San Diego Padres left fielder Kyle Blanks stands in a swarm of bees during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Houston Astros, Thursday, July 2, 2009, in San Diego. The swarm delayed the game.
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Kirsty Wigglesworth, AP
Giorgia Bordignon of Italy loses control during weightlifting women's 58Kg snatch, at the Mediterranean Games in Pescara, Italy, Saturday, June 27, 2009.
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Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain prepares to serve to Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark during their third round singles match at Wimbledon, Saturday, June 27, 2009.
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Sang Tan, AP
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Los Angeles Angels center fielder Torii Hunter can't get a glove on a solo home run by Colorado Rockies' Garrett Atkins during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, June 24, 2009.
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Minnesota Twins' Carlos Gomez knocks his helmet off on a bunt attempt off Houston Astros pitcher Wandy Rodriguez during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Minneapolis, Sunday, June 21, 2009. Gomez was not injured on the play.
Ann Heisenfelt, AP
Kobayashi had a slight lead at the eight-dog mark after the first minute, but Chestnut pulled ahead seconds later. The lead changed hands several more times before Chestnut went in front for good with about seven minutes left.
At the five-minute mark, Chestnut led 42 dogs to 40 dogs as he and Kobayashi, standing side by side, alternately stuffing hot dogs and sips of water into their mouths, excess liquid and specks of food invariably dribbling down their faces.
Kobayashi was wearing a T-shirt that included autographs from Japanese Olympic athletes.
With a minute to go, Chestnut led 63 dogs to 61 dogs and was ahead 66 to 64 with 10 seconds left.
"I knew I had the capacity for 70-plus hot dogs. Once I realized I had cushion, it helped me keep my pace and keep it safely," he told ESPN.
He noted that no matter how high the dog-eating record goes, Kobayashi is at his side.
"Kobayashi came out wanting to win. He ate the most he ever has," he said.
The champion said he planned to celebrate his victory Saturday night with a lighter touch: a cobb salad with ranch dressing.
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So just exactly how do these "athletes" train for this monumental event? Do they have their mom time them with her Timex while they wolf down 8 to 10 lbs. of glorified bologna? Stupid!
Holy crap!! a hotdog eating contest and the world's coming too an end..People are starving, and those poor animals being butchered for the sake of hotdogs..People are out spending money having a good time, trying too keep the economy going in a forward direction, just to put a little excitement into their holiday weekend, and all you do is bi*ch and complain..Some of you should try reading your posts before hitting the send button..! it will probably make you as sick as it does me..!!
With all the starving people in the world, couldn't we think of something better to do, like how many hot dogs someone could donate to a poor family? Americans are so spoiled, so blind and so wasteful!
