First ever hot dog chew-off at Nathan's

Joey Chestnut wins again in Brooklyn
Photo: AP/Seth Weng
 

Nathan's Famous, deep in the heart of Brooklyn at the Coney Island pier, was the scene today for the first overtime chew-off in the history of the hot dog eating contest.

Shortened by two minutes this year, the big kahuna of competitive eating was the most tense scene you could imagine. The competitors who were used to the 12 minute limit had to bring new strategy to the table.

Kobayashi, the 6 time champ had been dethroned last year by Joey Chestnut. Jaw problems plagued the Asian wonder at last year's dog fest and he had sought out the help of physicians to assist him regain his dominance.

What a sight to see him in top form battling against the young American who needed to win to show the world that last year's first place finish was not directly related to Kobayashi's injury.

At the 10-minute mark, both men, far ahead of anyone else in the field, had their 59th hot dog in their mouths. If one of them had reversed the food flow, so to speak, the other would win. They both were able to swallow the last bit. The chew-off commenced with five hot dogs to be eaten and swallowed; first to stuff the fifth whole bun and dog into their mouths without any blow back would win.

A reversal by Kobayashi at the very end gave Chestnut the crown, crumbs smeared all over his face as his hand was raised in the air. A bitter defeat for Kobayashi for sure as he brought his best game and lost fair and square. But what a finish folks! The competitors will live to eat another day as they cross continents on the competitive eating circuit. Will Kobayashi hang it up in Brooklyn? If he does, he couldn't go out with a better spectacle than this.