Joey Chestnut, the undisputed king of competitive eating, reignited his rivalry with Takeru Kobayashi, claiming victory and setting a new world record in Netflix’s “Unfinished Beef” special. Chestnut devoured an astonishing 83 hot dogs in 10 minutes, shattering the previous record for most eaten without dunking in water, and earning him a $100,000 prize, Fox News reports.
Kobayashi, the legendary Japanese competitor, finished with 66 hot dogs.
“I’ve been chasing 80 hot dogs for years, and without Kobayashi I wouldn’t have achieved it,” said Chestnut, acknowledging the intense rivalry that has pushed both men to their limits. “We’ve had our differences, but we push each other to be our best.”
The matchup was billed as the most anticipated competitive eating contest in history, reigniting a rivalry that had been dormant since 2009. Chestnut, widely considered the favorite, dominated the sport after Kobayashi was barred from competing at the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest due to a contractual dispute. Chestnut went on to win the iconic contest 16 times consecutively. However, Chestnut himself was barred from this year’s Nathan’s event due to his endorsement deal with Impossible Foods.
Kobayashi, who announced his retirement from competitive eating in 2017, came out of retirement for the special, stating that the opportunity to face Chestnut again “means a lot.” He reflected on the toll the sport had taken on his body, admitting he’s consumed approximately 10,000 hot dogs throughout his career.
Chestnut now holds a 4-2 head-to-head record against Kobayashi, solidifying his position as the dominant force in competitive eating. His record-breaking performance serves as a testament to his dedication and competitive spirit, showcasing the remarkable feat of human endurance that is competitive eating.
While the event was celebrated by fans of the sport, health experts continue to criticize competitive eating, citing concerns about its potential health risks. China banned competitive eating in 2021. Despite these concerns, the sport continues to enjoy widespread popularity, particularly in the United States, Canada, Germany, and Japan.
