Joey Chestnut Defends the Yellow Mustard Belt

In its 93rd annual contest, the Nathan’s International July Fourth Hot Dog Eating Contest paired up arguably two of the most debated competitive eaters this past weekend. With a host of anticipation, months and months of training, and new rulebook updates, this battle went down to the wire.

The defending 2007 champion, Joey Chestnut, had his work cut out for him this patriotic day as he stepped up to the plate against 6 time winner Takeru “Tsunami” Kobayashi. With stomachs churning, the men faced a new 10 minute time limit this year, contrary to the 12 minute time limits held consistent in previous events. This change in specifications did nothing to hinder the competitive eaters, as both churned out an impressive 59 hot dog count, leaving the audiences stunned at what was later regarded as a “photo finish”. At the end of the day, it was Joey Chestnut who held it down in the 5 hot dog overtime session, and all this can be recapped in this short little video (thx MVN):