http://www.zap2it.com/tv/news/zap-hotdogconest2008,0,133410.story
Mustard Belt Rematch: Hot Dog-Eating Contest
Joey Chestnut goes jaw-to-jaw with rival Takeru Kobayashi again
Hanh Nguyen
Zap2It.com
July 4 2008
July 4th: Time to celebrate our freedom of choice to consume cured meats in sausage form at the annual Independence Day Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. This year, it's all about the rematch between six-time champ Takeru "The Tsunami" Kobayashi and American Joey "Jaws" Chestnut, who in 2007's historic showdown, wrested the Mustard Belt from Japan and returned it to U.S. soil.
Spoilers ahead.
Throwing the gustatory athletes for a loop is a controversial contest change: Whereas previously the athletes had 12 minutes to down their food, documentation that indicates the contest was historically only 10 minutes has inspired Major League Eating to revert back to that original time. But how will this shortened time frame affect the competitors' eating pace, strategy and ultimately, the outcome?
The Top Dogs in the Field of Gurgitators:
Joey Chestnut - The mild-mannered All-American boy inhaled a record-breaking 66 hot dogs and buns (HDB) last year to secure the coveted title. He and his frankfurter-consuming nemesis matched each other dog for dog last year until the very end.
Takeru Kobayashi - In 2007, an arthritic jaw threatened to take the veteran out of the competition, but he soldiered on and finished in second with 63 HDB. In the past year he's consulted a specialist for his the arthritis and stretches his jaw regularly to keep the muscles strong and supple. Back in biting form, can Kobayashi snatch victory from the hampered jaws of last year's defeat?
Tim "Eater X" Janus - This eater comes with his game face on, literally, with a face-painted mask. He's one of the strongest and fastest eaters on the circuit and is the current tamale-, cannoli-, burrito-, and tiramisu-eating champion of the world.
Patrick Bertoletti - The mohawked caterer who prepares healthy food for diets is the wild card today, having out-eaten both Chestnut and Kobayashi in head-to-head competition. He's fired up to win, claiming that he's "tired of losing" to the two favorites.
Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas - Rounding out the Top Dogs is this scrappy and small athlete with a huge appetite. Weighing in at only 105 pounds, she's one of two women who qualified for the contest.
The Gustatory Gladiators' Arena:
This hot and humid day hasn't deterred the Coney Island crowd, who are prepared with their rousing "One Dog More" chant. The bravest and most zealous fans have crowded near the front of the stage, aka the "Spray Zone," to experience the contest up close. Over on the side, the latest Wii offering, "Major League Eating: The Game," in which players can put their virtual stomachs to the test.
The Showdown:
The crowd counts down eagerly as the tasting titans step up to their hot dog-laden plates ... and then it's a mad blur of hands, mouths, soggy buns and naked wieners as the combatants attack the food "like Lindsay Lohan attacks a minibar," observes one commentator.
Chestnut has the early lead in the first few minutes, consistently 2-3 HDB ahead of his rival. The American exercises economy of motion as he stuffs dogs into his face with only one hand to Kobayashi's two. The other Top Dogs are acquitting themselves well, even though "Humble" Bob Shoudt -- like a food phoenix -- catapults into third place for a brief, shining moment before his lack of endurance causes him to burn out and drop off the radar.
After the third and fourth minutes, Chestnut is still leading consistently, while Kobayashi -- who's dyed his hair red and yellow (kill a fellow?) -- doesn't seem to have his head in the game. It appears that it won't be any contest at all as Chestnut -- who has trained his abdominal muscles to push down the food rapidly -- continues to chipmunk away.
At the halfway mark, Chestnut has conquered 36 dogs. Kobayashi, 33.
What a difference 30 seconds makes, however. Apparently catching his second wind, Kobayash pulls up even, and with four minutes left, both have downed 40 dogs apiece. Bite by bite, the two athletes match each other, finishing 41, 43, 48 dogs within seconds of each other. But what's this? Perhaps the heat is getting to Chestnut, who appears to be struggling, allowing Kobayashi to take the lead by 1-2 dogs with a minute and a half to spare.
In the tense final minute, the opponents display intense concentration. Only the mouth and dog matter at this point, although darting glances to the side keep them aware of their ever-advancing foe. Only 30 seconds left, and there's one dog difference. The cheering crowd spurs them on, and as the last second ticks away, the competitors cup their hand over their mouth as the last chews inside their bulging mouths are allowed. Unlike last year, there's no controversy about Kobayashi's possible reversal of fortune. Nope, this year ...
... it's a tie!!
Both have eaten 59 HDB each. For the first time ever, there will be a Dog-Off. Five HDB apiece for time. It's a sprint that will demonstrate just who churns with the most desire to win. Chestnut is gasping and bent over, shoring up his strength and determination to go on. There's no rest for the ravenous.
The contestants bend to their task, bouncing up and down. Kobayashi seems to waste precious time drinking water. In the end, the 24-year-old Chestnut raises his fists in victory as his crestfallen enemy can only look on and digest defeat.
So today, my friends, was truly historic. The first 10-minute record of 59+ HDB was set, and the first-ever Dog-Off cranked the adrenaline to new heights. With such fierce competitors as Kobayashi, who vows to return, it's no wonder that Chestnut is still humble about defending his title.
"I love to eat. I love the competition," he says. "He wanted it, but I needed it."
Just like freedom. Our forefathers didn't just want it, they needed it.
Happy Fourth of July, everybody.
Who is your favorite eater? What do you think about the "sport" of competitive eating? What's your personal best and with what cuisine?
