American Pigs Out on Dogs, Sets Record

Coney Island contest goes against Kobayashi for first time in 6 years
Posted Jul 4, 2007 5:12 PM CDT
American Pigs Out on Dogs, Sets Record
Takeru Kobayashi massages his jaw before Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Competition in New York, Wednesday, July 4, 2007. In a gut-busting showdown that combined drama, daring and indigestion, Joey Chestnut emerged this afternoon as the world's hot dog eating champion by gobbling down a record 66 franks....   (Associated Press)

In a glorious tribute to the Founding Fathers, an American shattered the world hot-dog-eating record today, polishing off 66 franks and buns in 12 minutes in the annual Nathan's Famous contest in Coney Island, NY. Joey Chestnut, 23, held off Japanese competitive-eating legend Takeru Kobayashi to upset the six-time defending champ by three wieners.

Chestnut, a student at San Jose State, celebrated Independence Day by becoming the first American since 1999 to capture the coveted title. Afterward, the Daily News reports, he announced: "I feel pretty freaking good!" Kobayashi, who has battled a sore jaw, was gracious in defeat before suffering what the AP, using competitive-eating lingo, delicately calls "a reversal." (More Joey Chestnut stories.)

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