Nathan's news stories on Newser

Joey Chestnut Eats 62 Hot Dogs, Wins Again

Kevin Spak — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 14:11:06 CDT

Joey Chestnut is still the top dog in the world of competitive hot dog devouring. This year’s Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest was close for only the first few minutes, before “Jaws” ran away with it, scarfing down 62 hot dogs, ESPN reports. Takeru Kobayashi was once again absent...

Enough With the Competitive Eating

Polly Davis Doig — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 13:57:55 CDT

Far from the pie-eating contests of yore, competitive eating like the Nathan's hot dog-eating contest is "an orgy of brown drool, flying debris, and masticated mush," writes William Saletan for Slate. Now "an industry with stars, managers, corporate sponsors, international marketing, and a pro league," it even has Mayor Bloomberg...

Kobayashi Freed After Night in Brooklyn Jail

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 12:14:37 CDT

Japanese eating champion Takeru Kobayashi has been freed after a night in a New York jail over a hot dog scuffle. Kobayashi wore a black T-shirt bearing the message "Free Kobi" as he pleaded not guilty in Brooklyn today to charges of obstruction of governmental administration, resisting arrest, trespassing, and...

Kobayashi Arrested After Chestnut Wins Hot Dog Contest

M. Morris — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 15:23:50 CDT

Joey Chestnut won the Nathan's Famous hot dog eating contest today at Coney Island but had to share the spotlight with archrival Takeru Kobayashi, who did not compete and was arrested for trespassing at the end of the event, reports the New York Post . Chestnut gobbled "only" 54 dogs in...

Hot Dog Champ May Skip Nathan's Chow Down

Rob Quinn — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 04:34:00 CDT

Six-time champion Takeru Kobayashi is unlikely to be chowing down with the world's best at this year's Nathan's hot dog-eating contest. Major League Eating president says contract negotiations with the 128-pound Japanese eating machine are "at an impasse," although he hinted that Kobayashi may be ducking out after three consecutive...

Nathan's Champ Scarfs 68 Dogs to Defend Title

Katherine Thompson — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 10:23:01 CDT

Champion eater Joey Chestnut pulled off a three-peat by downing 68 hot dogs in Nathan's Coney Island contest yesterday, the New York Daily News reports. Chestnut's rival Takeru Kobayashi consumed a mere 64 franks in the annual faceoff. There was little suspense during the 10-minute bout, as Chestnut developed a...

Hot Dog! Duo Shoots for Title Tomorrow

Paul Stinson — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 20:00:01 CDT

With Takeru Kobayashi’s hot-dog hegemony in doubt at tomorrow's Coney Island throwdown, the Village Voice accompanies a pair of contenders as they train for the event. Roommates Crazy Legs Conti and Tim Janus hit an all-you-can-eat sushi bar in preparation for Nathan's July 4th institution, the 10-minute contest described by...

American Pigs Out on Dogs, Sets Record

M. Morris — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 17:12:03 CDT

In a glorious tribute to the Founding Fathers, an American shattered the world hot-dog-eating record today, polishing off 66 franks and buns in 12 minutes in the annual Nathan's Famous contest in Coney Island, NY. Joey Chestnut, 23, held off Japanese competitive-eating legend Takeru Kobayashi to upset the six-time defending...

Hot-Dog-Eating Champ Out With Strained Jaw

Dustin Lushing — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 05:22:39 CDT

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...