Chestnut Top Dog Once Again

Former champion reclaims top spot from Kobayashi
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Jul 4, 2008 1:26 PM CDT
Chestnut Top Dog Once Again
Takeru Kobayashi, left, and Joey Chestnut, right, eat hot dogs near the end of Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Competition in New York, Wednesday, July 4, 2007.   (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

American Joey Chestnut today reclaimed the top spot as winner of the annual hot dog eating contest in Coney Island. After tying archrival Takeru Kobayashi of Japan in a 10-minute chow-down, the Californian triumphed in a five-dog eat-off. The men defeated 19 others in tying at 59 frankfurters in regulation before going to the tiebreaker.

Kobayashi had hoped to reclaim the throne after suffering a disappointing loss last year. He had reigned for 6 years before that. "He wanted it, but I needed it," Chestnut said after his victory, watched by thousands. "If I put one more mouthful in, I could've won (in regulation)," Kobayashi said through a translator. (More hot dogs stories.)

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