Chestnut (OT) 59-59 Kobayashi

Man, that hot dog eating contest is strangely riveting entertainment. Like all of Vegas compressed into a few dozen hot dogs. And the dog-off! There was actually a tie previously: in 1980 Paul Siederman & Joe Baldini tied and tied again after the dog-off and were declared co-winners. Can you imagine that in today's competitive eating enviroment? Arlen Specter would never let it rest!

Check out the steady escalation of dog eating abilities of these people. The 25.5 dogs that Arai took down in 2000 was the world record at the time. Kobayashi (50) almost doubles that record the next year! From then on he's putting up fitty like Jordan in MSG. He wins 6 straight years but he's dusting the field, so while he's putting world class numbers he's not being pushed to his limits. Sonya Thomas sets the women's world record in 2003 (25), goes on to finish 3rd in 2004 (32) and in 2005 gives Kobayashi the best competition he's had (49-37). The 12 dog victory is his lowest margin of victory from 2001-2005.

There's no competition for the man until Chestnut (52) comes along in 2006 and pushes Kobayashi (53.75) to a new world record. But in 2007, the torch is passed. Even though Kobayashi (63) tacks 10 more dogs onto his personal best--the standing world record--and still can't handle Chestnut's (66) intensity. Chestnut pounds out a new world record and easily outpaces the 6-time champ. (Sonya Thomas is still around and though she finished a distant 5th this year she did set a new women's record)

This year the competition moved to a ten-minute match (in previous years I believe it was 15 minutes), which explains this year's lowered nominal totals now stand as new records. Chestnut and Kobayashi tie at 59 and go to a dog-off. Riveting, man, I gotta say. I've never noticed one way or the other about this thing until last year when I totally got into Chestnut dethroning the long-reigning champ. Context is everything and this one had drama and features the two greatest champs ever in the history of this bizarre American ritual in their prime. Good competition is what America thrives on and we deserve this.

Kobayashi and Chestnut are the Federer and Nadal of the competitive eating universe and it’s a pleasure to behold. Plus, I really like hot dogs.