The world’s biggest hot dog eating contest has been taking place at the Nathan’s Famous hot dog stand on Coney Island since 1916 and this year’s should prove to be its biggest yet. 21 of the world’s top professional eaters will be converging in New York City to battle over the sport’s most coveted title, the Mustard Yellow Belt, and a $20,000 cash prize. It is being billed as The Rematch II between the reigning World Hot Dog Eating Champion and the #1 Ranked Professional Eater in the World, Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, and the #1 Challenger and 6 time World Hot Dog Eating Champion, Takeru “The Tsunami” Kobayashi. These two have been battling fiercely the past few years with world records being shattered in three of the last four competitions.The Blot is eagerly waiting to see if American Joey Chestnut can hold off the Japanese superstar to win his second consecutive Mustard Yellow Belt. The 2008 Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest takes place today, July 4, 2008, at 12/11C and can be seen nationally on ESPN.
2008 Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest Contestants
Joey "JAWS" Chestnut
Takeru "The Tsunami" Kobayashi
Pat "Deep Dish" Bertoletti
Tim "Eater X" Janus
Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas
"Humble" Bob Shoudt
Hall "Hoover" Hunt
Tim "Gravy" Brown
Rich "The Locust" LeFevre
"Patrick "Vandam" Vandam
"The Lovely" Juliet Lee
Juris "Dr. Bigtime" Shibayama
Eric "Badlands" Booker
Erik "The Red" Denmark
Arturo Rios "Grande"
Pat "From Moonachie" Philbin
Allen "Shredder" Goldstein
Crazy Legs Conti
"Nasty" Nate Biller
"Pretty Boy" Pete Davekos
"Double-0" Kevin Ross
