Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest

Noon on the 4th of July? It must be time for the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. This year the competition for the Mustard Yellow Belt has really heated up. Joey Chestnut, who came in second last year, recently set a new world record with 59.5 hot dogs in 12 minutes. Kobayashi, the champion for the past 6 years and world record holder until Chestnut's qualifying effort last month, is back but is suffering from jaw pain and no one is sure yet whether he will be able to compete.

We are currently only about 15 minutes into the hour long show and the food related puns are already overwhelming. We've had "meat" the competitors, the "buntenders", been told that Kobayashi is a "lunchtime decision" and a half dozen others. That's the problem with this show, it's an hour long while the contest itself is only 12 minutes long.


The broadcasters are trying very hard to convince everyone that Chestnut winning the Mustard Yellow Belt is a matter of national pride. First, it's shoving hot dogs into your mouth. I'm much more concerned about things like quality of life, education and how we treat people than whether my country wins this or any other sporting event. Second, considering Chestnut's recent comments about Kobayashi's injury ("I don't want to call anyone a coward, but..."), I don't think I particularly want to root for him regardless of country of origin.

We're now being introduced to the competitors and just saw one competitor who is a vegetarian except during competitions and another who is 63. As we reach the end of these intros, it's time for a prediction. Kobayashi always has another gear and seems to have something left in the tank at the end of the competition. I don't what's going to happen, and it's probably going out on a limb with the injury hanging over him, but I think that Kobayashi will not only compete, but win, and set a new world record with at least 60 hot dogs.

-The contest is underway and Kobayashi seems to be going as fast as always.

-At 10:30, Kobayashi has 14 and Chestnut has 16. The idea of eating that many makes me a little sick.

-With 8 minutes to go, Chestnut has a 5 dog lead.

-6 minutes as the gap has closed to 2 dogs.

-Someone needs to shut the announcer up about how Chestnut will be an American Hero if he wins. A great competitor, but not a hero.

-These guys are going to shatter the record if they don't really slow down.

-The closest competitors are 10 hot dogs behind Chestnut and Kobayashi.

-There is less than half a hot dog between them at 2:30.

-"The Spray Zone?" That's just nasty.

-15 second and tied at 62.

-The unofficial numbers are 66 for Chestnut and 63 for Kobayashi.

-The numbers are now official and Chestnut has the new world record and the Mustard Yellow belt.

It was an unbelievable performance by the injured Kobayashi and an amazing performance by Chestnut. The world record was completely destroyed and the competition was truly disgusting. Two guys constantly pushing each other to get better and work harder. That's what a good rivalry should be. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm feeling a little sick.