In the annual Fourth of July event at the corner of Surf and Stillwell as 21 gurgitators are going for the Yellow Mustard belt at the 2008 Nathan‘s Hot Dog Eating Contest.

Takeru Kobayashi, from Japan, who lost last year after winning six straight is back again to retake the Yellow Mustard belt. Joey “Jaws” Chestnut who the set the record last year of 66 hot dogs and buns in twelve minutes is back to prove his win from last year is no fluke.

A couple of female gurgitators, “The lovely” Juliet Lee and Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas are back to try to win the belt. Sonya holds the female record of 38.5 hot dogs and buns set in 2007.

The rules for this event have changed this year. Last year the event was 12 minutes long and starting this year the event is only going to be 10 minutes. Some old documents found in around 1917-1918 were found showcasing that the event was only 10 minutes long so the people behind the event changed it.

Any contestant that winds up regurgitating his or her food is disqualified from the competition.

The competition got to fast start with Joey Chestnut eating 10 hot dogs and buns in one minute with Kobayashi at 8. It stayed around a 2 dog lead until the sixth minute when it became a 40-40 tie.

Then Kobayashi stated to take a small lead and taking around a two-dog lead with one minute to go. With 30 seconds left the lead was down to one and at the buzzer with both mouths completely full it came down to a judge’s decision.

The judge decided it was a 59-59 hot dog and bun tie which caused a rare 5 hot dog and bun “dog-off” overtime period. The overtime period did not last long at all though. Joey Chestnut was able to keep a slight lead over Kobayashi and take the Mustard Yellow belt for a second time in a row.

“I was not quick enough,” said Kobayashi on the overtime period. When asked if he would do it again he said “of course.”

“I love to eat,” said Joey Chestnut on why he does it. “I love the competition.”




...Dont want to be in a small room with Joey after that...he might have a little gas..Cheers mates