Competitive eaters Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi faced off in a thrilling hot dog eating contest streamed live on Netflix, marking their first competition in 15 years. Chestnut set a new world record by consuming 83 hot dogs, surpassing his previous record and securing a $100,000 grand prize. Despite Kobayashi's strong performance and personal best of 66 hot dogs, Chestnut emerged victorious in the event titled 'Unfinished Beef'.
The world of competitive eating witnessed a historic moment as Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi reignited their long-standing rivalry in a live-streamed event on Netflix. This contest, held at the Hyper X Arena in Las Vegas, was not just about breaking records but also about settling old scores in a battle dubbed 'Unfinished Beef'.
Joey Chestnut broke his own world record by eating 83 hot dogs in 10 minutes, surpassing the previous record of 76 hot dogs set in 2021. Takeru Kobayashi, despite having retired from competitive eating, made a strong comeback by consuming 66 hot dogs, marking a personal best since his last major competition. The event, with its strict rules prohibiting dunking and separating hot dogs from buns, tested the limits of both competitors under the watchful eyes of hosts Rob Riggle and Nikki Garcia.
The event marked the first head-to-head competition between Chestnut and Kobayashi since 2009, reigniting a fierce rivalry that has captivated fans of competitive eating. Both competitors have a storied history, with Chestnut taking over the throne from Kobayashi in the mid-2000s at Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. Despite past tensions and competitive spirit, both athletes showed mutual respect, acknowledging each other's skills and contributions to their successes.
The hot dog eating contest was part of a larger event that included other competitive eating challenges, such as a chicken wing contest featuring competitive eater Matt Stonie and Olympians Ryan Lochte and Ryan Murphy. Additionally, Leah Shutkever set a new Guinness World Record for eating watermelon. These events highlight the growing popularity and spectacle of competitive eating, drawing global audiences and showcasing extraordinary feats of endurance and skill.
The 'Unfinished Beef' event not only showcased the incredible capabilities of Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi but also underscored the enduring appeal of competitive eating as a sport. As both competitors look forward, they continue to inspire and challenge each other, proving that the spirit of competition is as much about camaraderie as it is about winning.
"I've been trying to hit 80 hot dogs for years, and without Kobayashi, I was never able to do it. He drives me. We weren't always nice to each other, but I love what he can do. We push each other to be our best." - Joey Chestnut
"I feel like I did everything I could." - Takeru Kobayashi