USA: Contestants weigh-in ahead of annual hot dog eating championship

Contestants are weighing in the day before Nathan's annual hotdog eating competition. Reigning champion Takeru Kobayashi of Japan, who has suffered from arthritis in his jaw, is back to defend his title. A day ahead of Nathan's annual hot dog eating competition, contestants weighed in on Tuesday (July 3) -- but six-time defending champion Takeru Kobayashi is suffering from a jaw injury that could effect his winning streak. The reigning champ, who last year devoured nearly 54 hot dogs in 12 minutes, plans on competing and doing his best to stay in the game. "I'm not really nervous or anything like that, all I'm doing is concentrating on getting my jaw open," said Kobayashi, who suffers from arthritis of the jaw. Kobayashi said that he injured his jaw during training, but has been resting it in anticipation for Wednesday's (July 4) gorgefest. One man hoping to benefit from Kobayashi's injury is American competitive eater Joey Chestnut, who earlier this year set a new hot dog-eating record for swallowing 59 dogs and buns. He said, however, that Kobayashi will be a fierce competitor even with the injury. "If he's going to eat, he's going to do a huge number, and it's going to take a lot of hot dogs to beat him if he's eating. I need to go out there, and even if he's not giving 100 percent, I need to give 110," said Chestnut. The competition, which will be held on New York's Coney Island, is expected to draw 30,000 spectators who will watch the Japanese and American top eaters contend for the coveted prize - the "yellow-mustard belt."

ITN Source | July 4, 2007

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