Takeru Kobayashi of Japan ended the 2006 [tag]Nathan’s Famous[/tag] Fourth of July International [tag]Hot Dog Eating Contest[/tag] as champion once again, setting a new world record of 53 and 3/4 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes.
Koby (53.75) Fights Off Challenge From Chestnut (52)
But not without a major challenge from rookie Joey Chestnut of San Jose, Califonia, who set a new American record of 52 HDBs in 12 minutes.
Chestnut led Kobayashi for the first half of the contest, establishing a two hot dog lead before slowly losing ground to the five-time winner from Nagoya. By the 10-munite mark, Chestnut was a dog and a half behind and could not mount the comeback necessary to win.
Never before, however, has an american performed so well against Kobayashi and never before has America been so galvanized by a sports hero. The crowd of more than 30,000 cheered Chestnut on throughout the contest, but especially in the final minutes, chanting “Joey,” “Joey.”
Sonya Thomas placed third with 37 HDBs, Patrick Bertoletti ate 34 and Chip Simpson consumed 33.
The event, which was preceded by an extravagant show featuring Coney Island performing talent, took place in nearly 90-degree heat and nearly 90 percent humidity. Some eaters were overwhelmed with the heat and their performance was impacted.
The crowd was huge, the weather was stuffy and hot and these guys still slammed back a large amount of hot dogs. The wife and I ate just one each and were full. If you plan on going to this next year, go early – like 9ish. Don’t arrive at 11, you can’t get past the crowd around Nathan’s without getting into a body slam fest with some rather unsavory looking folks. Gotta love Coney Island. The [tag]Hot Dog contest[/tag] should be on ESPN later tonight – check it out, we’re in the sea of people somewhere.
14 responses to “2006 Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest”
This makes me want to find a hot dog vendor and get a dog and a sausage. Mmmm. That Japanese guy is amazing he lookes like he weighs 100 pounds 🙂
Bow to Kobayashi!!!!!!!!
I just watched it on ESPN, I got full just watching. Amazing.
We watched it again on ESPN and I got a little naseous just watching, I can’t believe that the woman put away 37 dogs! No hot dogs around here for a while thank you.
I think Koby has more than 53.75 in his game. He just waits to see what he needs to do in the end to get the job done.
I wanted Joey to take him down! Where is everyone’s pride in America! We gotta show them how we can do it 😀 Koby has been an unstoppable force in the competitive eating circuit and someone needs to push him a little
Oh No! I think i missed out the real fun out there and on ESPN too. Pity me!
Nick you did so well at the Defcon wing eating contest, I expected to see you up there yesterday 🙂
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Haha – unfortunately 20,000 calories worth of hot dogs just isn’t in my diet plan.
I was hoping to see it on the tube myself, but it was put off for a Baseball game. I try to watch it every year. I am a big myself, but slamming 30 or more hot dogs down my throat in 12 minutes doea not sound to good to me.
Has anybody ever been to a Rib city BBQ before. We have one opening at Jungle Jim’s. In one of are out buildings. Are they any good.
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I have been to Rib City in Ft Myers FL a few times…pretty good
Just not sure if its the same franchise though 🙄
Nothing like a Nathan’s dog with some of Professor Phartpounders ‘Colon Cleaner’ slathered on it…mmmm-GOOD!
Nothin like a good hot dog period, especially with some ggod mustard.