And once again a thrill-packed Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest comes to a close with Joey Chestnut winning! The Mustard Belt remains in the U.S. for another year!

It was an amazing contest with Chestnut and Kobayashi tied after regulation time expired. In the first ever 5-dog "Eat Off" tiebreaker, Chestnut came through with an impressive display of speed and chomping prowess. A crestfallen Kobayashi was left speechless and found his defeat hard to swallow. Fortunately there were no controversial "reversals" this year.

Hot Dog bloggers are already speculating that the regulation time change from 12 minutes to 10 may have been a factor. Like a long-distance runner, Kobayashi's pace may have been disrupted by the time change. Chestnut is more of a sprinter in his competitive eating, and thus more able to adjust to contest variances.

We just watched it, also. It was certainly thrilling, especially the OT round.

I realized that each of them ate more hotdogs in regulation (59) than I eat in a year. And, I like hot dogs!

I probably eat 70-80 a year. I like Nathan's and Hebrew National brands and try to keep some in the freezer. I had some Sabrett's but I had to order them from NYC and it was too expensive to justify.

59 in 10 minutes. Wow. I'd be looking for a rest room after 8 or 9 of them.

How did Sonya Thomas do this year?? I know she ate 37 in 2005 (of course, this was under the 12-minute rule). Not bad for a woman who tips the scales at 98 lbs.

She was never a factor. Other than her introduction there was no other mention of her, which is odd because the emcees always make a big deal over "the black widow". But that would have taken away from the hype over Chestnut vs. Kobayashi - the rematch!

I just can't watch the contest. When they start dunking them into water, that's it. Turns my tummy. I'm going to make chili dogs tonight for dinner, now if that isn't fine dining, I don't know what is http://cruise-chat.com/groupee_commo...on_biggrin.gif

When I make chili dogs I always pile cheese, hot peppers, and onions on top and then broil them to melt the cheese. It usually ends up being a knife and fork meal.

My youngest son should enter these contests, he can eat with the best of 'em. I worry more about the soaring grocery pricing than the fuel pricing these days.

Cheers, Neil

There will always be money for hot dogs!

I think Kobayashi was the one who started the thing with eating the meat and then dunking the buns and sucking them down. I sort of wish Nathan's would change the rules and require them to be eaten in the bun. At least it is more dignified to watch.

I'll bet he can, Neil. He's like 6'5", right.