Chestnut Wins NY Hot Dog Eating Match, 3d in Row

Joey Chestnut, left, of San Jose, Calif., defending champion of the Nathan's Famous July 4th Hot Dog...

Joey Chestnut, left, of San Jose, Calif., defending champion of the Nathan's Famous July 4th Hot Dog Eating Contest, celebrates his victory over former champion Takeru Kobayashi of Nagano, Japan, Saturday, July 4, 2009, in New York. Chestnut logged his third consecutive win in Coney Island's annual hot dog eating contest with a world-record 68 franks.

(Craig Ruttle/AP Photo)

At the five-minute mark, Chestnut led 42 dogs to 40 dogs as he and Kobayashi, standing side by side, alternately stuffing hot dogs and sips of water into their mouths, excess liquid and specks of food invariably dribbling down their faces.

Kobayashi was wearing a T-shirt that included autographs from Japanese Olympic athletes.

With a minute to go, Chestnut led 63 dogs to 61 dogs and was ahead 66 to 64 with 10 seconds left.

"I knew I had the capacity for 70-plus hot dogs. Once I realized I had cushion, it helped me keep my pace and keep it safely," he told ESPN.

He noted that no matter how high the dog-eating record goes, Kobayashi is at his side.

"Kobayashi came out wanting to win. He ate the most he ever has," he said.

The champion said he planned to celebrate his victory Saturday night with a lighter touch: a cobb salad with ranch dressing.

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