Is Kobayashi the True Champ?

July 4th is the traditional date for the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island in New York, but there was nothing traditional about today's result. Competitive eating star Joey Chestnut won, eating 62 hot dogs in 10 minutes-- one short of his record in the event. However, a few miles away on the roof of a bar called 230 FIFTH, next to a video broadcasting the Nathan's chow-down, the sport's other household name, Takeru Kobayashi, stuffed himself with 69 hot dogs in the same amount of time-- a new world record.

"Kobayashi, a former Nathan’s champion, has been banned from that event for the past two years for refusing to sign a contract with the governing body, Major League Eating," explains Off The Bench, and because of that, his record will not likely be recognized.

"The champion of the world is crowned in Coney Island. Always has been, always will be,” said Major League Eating president and hot dog contest master of ceremonies George Shea. “He put a tin crown on his head and called himself king.”

Here are some... um... highlights(?) from Kobayashi's record-setting feat...