In a highly anticipated showdown, Joey Chestnut defeated Takeru Kobayashi in a record-setting hot dog eating contest at the Hyper X Arena in Las Vegas. Chestnut managed to eat 83 hot dogs in 10 minutes, surpassing his previous world record of 76, while Kobayashi finished with 66. This match was their first head-to-head since 2009 and was streamed live on Netflix.
The contest had a unique set of rules, prohibiting competitors from separating the hot dogs from their buns or dipping them in water—techniques often used in competitive eating. Despite initial concerns about these restrictions, Chestnut adapted and expressed satisfaction with his performance, attributing part of his success to the competitive drive Kobayashi provided.
Joey Chestnut beats Takeru Kobayashi AND his own World Record with 83 hot dogs in 10 minutes. #ChestnutVSKobayashi pic.twitter.com/ThF9GSkWQF
— Netflix (@netflix) September 2, 2024
The event was part of a larger spectacle featuring other competitive eating matches. Matt Stonie, another competitive eater, defeated a team of three Olympians by consuming 53 chicken wings in three minutes, and Leah Shutkever set a new Guinness World Record by eating over 2000 grams of watermelon in just two and a half minutes.
This competition marked another chapter in the storied rivalry between Chestnut and Kobayashi, both of whom have dominated the competitive eating scene for years. While Chestnut emerged victorious this time, the contest underscored the fierce and enduring nature of their competition.
