Joey Chestnut Sets New Record, Eating 83 Hot Dogs to Beat Takeru Kobayashi

Sept. 3 (UPI) — American competitive eater Joey Chestnut set a new world record by consuming 83 hot dogs during Netflix’s Labor Day special, surpassing his long-time rival Takeru Kobayashi of Japan.

The event, titled Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef, streamed live at 3 p.m. EDT Monday. It featured the two legendary eaters in a 10-minute showdown to see who could eat the most hot dogs.

Chestnut’s 83 hot dogs not only bested Kobayashi’s 67 consumed during the event but also surpassed his own previous world record of 76, which he set back in 2021.

At 40 years old, Chestnut has been a dominant figure in competitive eating, especially in the famous annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. Kobayashi, 46, is also a well-known name, having been the reigning Nathan’s champion from 2002 to 2007. From 2008 onward, Chestnut took over, winning the contest all but once in the next 17 years.

The Labor Day special marked the first head-to-head competition between Chestnut and Kobayashi in 15 years, creating much anticipation among fans. Netflix orchestrated the event to bring the two titans of the eating world back together for a long-awaited rematch.

Interestingly, Chestnut was absent from the iconic Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest held on July 4 at Coney Island due to his sponsorship with Impossible Foods, a company that produces meatless products, conflicting with a rival wiener brand. Consequently, the Mustard Belt was awarded to Patrick Bertoletti, who consumed 58 hot dogs to claim victory this year.

Source: UPI