Joey ‘Jaws’ Chestnut: The World's Top Eater

Competitive eater Joey ‘Jaws’ Chestnut
ate 54 hot dogs in 10 minutes on Sunday to win the annual Nathan’s
International Hot Dog Eating Contest – his fourth year in a row of
winning the Mustard Belt.  He was disappointed with his showing, and
cited dehydration as a factor in his poor showing.  Last year the
26-year-old gobbled 68 dogs and was shooting to break his record by
downing 70 this year.

Chestnut’s biggest competitor, 32-year-old Takeru ‘Tsunami’ Kobayashi
, was led away in handcuffs and arrested after the event.  Police
charged him with resisting arrest, trespass and obstructing governmental
administration after he charged onto the stage and had to be tackled by
officers at the Coney Island 4th of July event.

Kobayashi, the
six-time champion from 2001-2006, did not compete this year because he
refused to sign a contract with Major League Eating.  He said he wanted
to be free to compete in contests sanctioned by other groups.  His last
win in the Nathan’s event was in 2006.

‘Jaws’ trains by fasting
and by stretching his stomach with milk, water, and protein
supplements.  His competitive weight varies from 210-225 lbs.





Chestnut
holds multiple world records.  They include the consumption of 103
burgers at Krystal Square Off in Chattanooga, TN on October 28, 2007. 
He downed 241 wings at Wing Bowl XVI in Philadelphia on February 1,
2009.  He inhaled 8.6 pounds of tempura-fried asparagus in Stockton, CA
on April 26, 2008.  He devoured 6 pounds of spicy Italian meatballs in
10 minutes – 50 in all, in Las Vegas on November 8, 2009.



He
consumed 4.5 pounds of steak, plus sides in 8 minutes, 52 seconds at Big
Texan Steak Ranch on March 24, 2008.  He finished off 9.8 pounds of
pork rib meat in 12 minutes in Sparks, Nevada on August 27, 2008.  On
February 21, 2009 he made quick work of 10-1/2 pounds of macaroni and
cheese in seven minutes during half time at the San Jose Stealth
lacrosse game.

Source: bittenandbound.com Photos: WENN