July 4th, 2009, ESPN broadcasted the 94th annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island. Available in HD, viewers were treated to an epic scarf-down between Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi. Chestnut was gunning for his third consecutive win, while Kobayashi looked to reclaim his throne.
The two contestants, along with 17 others, were given a 10 minute time limit to consume hot dogs and buns but the only real battle was between Kobayashi and Chestnut.
Chestnut ate a staggering 68 hot dogs while Kobayashi finished 64 franks. According to Chestnut, "I've been practicing hard, I knew it would be hard to beat me." Kobayashi indicated, "It was a real bummer that I lost."
Chestnut let it be known that his goal will be 70 hot dogs at next years event!