A world record-breaking eater ended the six-year rule of a Japanese champion on July 4, swallowing* 66 hot dogs in a mere 12 minutes in the annual Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest.

American Joey Chestnut ended Japan’s Takeru “Tsunami” Kobayshi’s remarkable success to the cheers of a crowd of 50,000 in Coney Island, the United States.

One day before the contest, Kobayashi was considering dropping out of the event after arthritis* of the jaw and a pulled wisdom tooth* left him in pain. He still showed up and tried to defend his title, but settled for second place with 63 hot dogs in 12 minutes.

Chestnut, a 23-year-old student from California, won the yellow championship belt and a prize of US$10,000, but above all he enjoyed the glory of having beaten 16 rivals and broken Kobayashi’s seemingly endless run.

The 70-kilogram Kobayashi had caused a sensation* by winning the contest six years in a row; last year by eating a 53-3/4 hot dogs and breaking his own record.

Chestnut, at 97 kilograms, came second in 2006 with 52 hot dogs, but this year felt confident about the competition after breaking Kobayashi’s world record in June with 59-1/2 hot dogs.

Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest has been held every year at Coney Island since 1916 and become increasingly popular.

Most participants now use the “Solomon technique” patented* by Kobayashi, breaking the hot dogs in half before swallowing them down. The buns* are eaten separately after being dunked* in water to make them easier to swallow.

The only real rule is to avoid regurgitation*, which would result in immediate disqualification*.

Hot dog eating champions are not, as might be expected, huge and fat, since experts note that an excess of fat restricts* the stomach’s capacity for expansion.

(SD-Agencies)