7/4/2007

Joey Chestnut of San Jose, Calif., today won the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest, beating former champion Takeru Kobayashi and setting a new world record by downing 66 Nathan’s Famous hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes.

Kobayashi, the six-time hot dog-eating world champion, arrived at the 2007 event with a jaw injury. He reportedly received therapy on the jaw until two hours before the contest and appeared to compete at 100 percent — he ate 63 HDBs, eight more than his personal best.

Many thought Kobayashi would be unable to compete, or that he would compete at a lower level of intensity. In fact, he and Joey were neck and neck until the final moments of the contest.

The Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest has been held each year since 1916, according to archives. This year’s contest may have been the most highly anticipated match-up in the event’s storied 92-year history. Police reported that nearly 50,000 people attended the event in Coney Island.

“Nothing represents summer and the Fourth of July like the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog-Eating Contest,” said Wayne Norbitz, president and COO of Nathan’s Famous. “This year our nation has new hope for glory.”