Chestnut favored to defend hot dog eating title

Nathan’s Famous annual July Fourth International Hot Dog Eating Contest returns for the 94th year at the company’s flagship store in Coney Island on Saturday.

The event, which has become a corny part of America’s Independence Day celebrations, will pit two-time champion Joey Chestnut against six-time champion Takeru Kobayashi.

Bodog.com currently has Chestnut as -155 favorite. Kobayashi is listed at +105 followed by Tim ‘Eater X’ Janus at +1150. Odds for the field are set at +1300.

In 2008, the world watched as Chestnut and Kobayashi battled it out in an exhilarating five hot dog overtime. Chestnut won, but Kobayashi immediately vowed to return to reclaim the Coveted Mustard Yellow Belt, the most revered award in the world of competitive eating.

In anticipation of the 2009 rematch, Nathan’s Famous had official qualifying events in cities throughout the United States. The champions of each qualifier will compete at the original Nathan’s Famous in Coney Island on July Fourth.

Last year, Coney Island authorities stated that 40,000 fans crowded the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in Coney Island to witness Joey Chestnut’s rematch with Takeru Kobayashi. Over one million households tuned in to the contest’s live telecast on ESPN.

Chestnut, a San Jose resident, ate 59 hot dogs in the 10-minute contest and ended up in a tie with Japan’s Kobayashi. Overtime ensued, and in just 50 seconds Chestnut completed an additional five hot dogs to secure his second Nathan’s Famous title.

This year’s event will be broadcast live on ESPN at noon on Saturday, July 4.