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Hot-Dog-Eating Champ Out With Strained Jaw

5-year wiener reign could end July 4

By Dustin Lushing,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 29, 2007 5:22 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Will the 4th of July ever be the same? For 5 years, the day has belonged to Takeru Kobayashi, the unstoppable winner of Nathan's annual hot dog eating contest. But the chow champ—a Japanese professional eater nicknamed "tsnuami" for his technique—is in a pickle. He can barely open his mouth due to an arthritic jaw.

Fans are wondering whether the arrival of up-and-eater Joey Chestnut, a California boy who devoured Kobayashi's world record this month by swallowing 59.5 dogs in 12 minutes, could be scaring the champ out of competition. His absence would be "a strange coincidence, now that he's the underdog," sneered Chestnut.

dogs in 12 minutes. Others suggest it's a dodge to avoid Chestnut. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
dogs in 12 minutes. Others suggest it's a dodge to avoid Chestnut. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)   (Associated Press)
Takeru Kobayashi poses for pictures after winning Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Competition in Coney Island, in this July 4, 2006 file photo, in New York. Kobayashi, the six-time defending champion of the contest received a chilling diagnosis that could end his Fourth of July roll. The Japanese eating machine's...
Takeru Kobayashi poses for pictures after winning Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Competition in Coney Island, in this July 4, 2006 file photo, in New York. Kobayashi, the six-time defending champion...   (Associated Press)
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FILE)   (Associated Press)
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Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Contest
Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs

The champ's blog
Takeru-Kobayashi.com

 
Japan • Takeru Kobayashi • Joey Chestnut • hot dogs • Nathan's • contest • competition • world record

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