American competitive eater Joey Chestnut showcased his dominance in a hot dog-eating contest against his longtime rival, Japan’s Takeru Kobayashi, which was streamed live on Netflix. Chestnut devoured 83 hot dogs in 10 minutes, beating Kobayashi’s 66, in their first faceoff in 15 years. The event, held at the Luxor Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, offered a $100,000 grand prize and the chance to be recognized as the “Greatest of All Time.” Chestnut credited Kobayashi for pushing him to achieve his personal best, acknowledging the competitive drive between them.
The event, titled “Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef,” was promoted by Netflix as a showdown similar to legendary sports rivalries like Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield and Michael Jordan vs. Larry Bird. Despite announcing his retirement earlier in the year, Kobayashi returned for a shot at redemption against Chestnut. Following his defeat, Kobayashi expressed that he had given his all during the competition. Both eaters had anticipated breaking world records at the event, showcasing their dedication and skill in this unique sport.
Prior to the hot dog-eating contest, Chestnut had been ruled ineligible for the July 4 competition at Nathan’s flagship location due to his association with a competing plant-based rival, disappointing his fans. Major League Eating clarified that Chestnut was not banned but had been deemed ineligible for that specific event. Kobayashi, on the other hand, had made a surprising return to competitive eating after a hiatus, driven by the opportunity to face Chestnut one last time. Despite concerns about the impact on his health, Kobayashi embraced this final challenge as a retired competitor.
Kobayashi’s success in competitive eating, particularly at the Nathan’s annual contest in the early 2000s, contributed to the popularity of the sport. In their last faceoff in 2009, Chestnut emerged victorious by consuming 68 hot dogs and buns compared to Kobayashi’s 64½. Chestnut’s subsequent dominance in the competition solidified his position as the reigning champion, as Kobayashi withdrew from the event in 2010 due to contractual issues. The duo’s rivalry and competitive spirit added excitement to the Labor Day special, where they were given 10 minutes to eat as many hot dogs as possible under challenging rules.
Aside from the main event between Chestnut and Kobayashi, the Labor Day special featured additional competitive eating contests, including an undercard matchup where Matt Stonie defeated Olympians Ryan Lochte, Ryan Murphy, and Max Irving in a chicken wing-eating challenge. British competitive eater Leah Shutkever also set a record for watermelon consumption in three minutes, showcasing the diverse talent within the competitive eating community. The event served as a celebration of skill, endurance, and friendly competition among top eaters in the field, culminating in Chestnut’s impressive victory over his longtime rival, Kobayashi.
