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Chestnut Top Dog Once Again

Former champion reclaims top spot from Kobayashi

By the Associated Press

Posted Jul 4, 2008 1:26 PM CDT

(AP) – American Joey Chestnut today reclaimed the top spot as winner of the annual hot dog eating contest in Coney Island. After tying archrival Takeru Kobayashi of Japan in a 10-minute chow-down, the Californian triumphed in a five-dog eat-off. The men defeated 19 others in tying at 59 frankfurters in regulation before going to the tiebreaker.

Kobayashi had hoped to reclaim the throne after suffering a disappointing loss last year. He had reigned for 6 years before that. "He wanted it, but I needed it," Chestnut said after his victory, watched by thousands. "If I put one more mouthful in, I could've won (in regulation)," Kobayashi said through a translator.

Takeru Kobayashi, left, and Joey Chestnut, right, eat hot dogs near the end of Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Competition in New York, Wednesday, July 4, 2007.
Takeru Kobayashi, left, and Joey Chestnut, right, eat hot dogs near the end of Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Competition in New York, Wednesday, July 4, 2007.   (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Joey Chestnut grimaces during Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Competition at Coney Island in New York in this file photo of Tuesday, July 4, 2006.
Joey Chestnut grimaces during Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Competition at Coney Island in New York in this file photo of Tuesday, July 4, 2006.   (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
Joey Chestnut poses with the Mustard Belt after winning Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Competition in New York, Wednesday, July 4, 2007.
Joey Chestnut poses with the Mustard Belt after winning Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Competition in New York, Wednesday, July 4, 2007.   (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
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Copyright 2012 Newser, LLC. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. AP contributed to this report.

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