Chestnut still hot dog champion

Jul 4, 2008 - 7:21 PM BROOKLYN, New York (Ticker) -- Joey Chestnut had to work overtime to remain top dog.

In an epic battle, Chestnut won a dog-off against Takeru "Tsunami" Kobayashi on Friday to win the annual Nathan's hot dog eating competition on Coney Island.

Chestnut and Kobayashi each chomped down 59 frankfurters in 10 minutes, setting the stage for a five-dog eat-off.

Chestnut was just a bit quicker in the dog-off, giving him the coveted Yellow Mustard Belt.

"He wanted it, but I needed it," Chestnut said.

Last year, Chestnut ended Kobayashi's reign as the six-time champion of the event when he ate a world-record 66 dogs in 12 minutes. The competition was shortened by two minutes this year.

A crowd of more than 25,000 jammed the street for the competition, staged a block from the famed Coney Island Boardwalk, to witness a sickening eating display.

Chestnut set the early pace, woofing down 10 dogs in the first minute. However, Kobayashi maintained contact the entire time and eventually vaulted ahead before being caught in the final minute by Chestnut.

"If I put one more mouthful in, I could've won (in regulation)," Kobayashi said through an interpreter.

Tim Janus ate 42 dogs to finish third.