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Chestnut is still hot dog of eating

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 5, 2009

Joey Chestnut chomped down a record 68 hot dogs, capturing his third straight July Fourth hot-dog eating contest at New York's Coney Island, an annual showcase for flamboyant hot dogging contestants eager to show they really are what they eat.

Chestnut, of San Jose, Calif., hoisted the American flag and then stood proudly like an Olympic athlete as "The Star-Spangled Banner" played following his 68 to 641/2 dog victory over his archrival, six-time titleholder Takeru Kobayashi.

As soon as Chestnut knew he had won, he shot his right fist into the air, his mouth still bulging while he chewed the last of his wieners at Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest.

"This is great," Chestnut told ESPN, which broadcast the 10-minute contest live. "After the second minute, I knew that my body was cooperating and it was going to be hard to beat me."

The 25-year-old Chestnut led most of the way, seemingly coasting to victory in contrast to last year, when he and his Japanese rival both gobbled 59 hot dogs, forcing a dramatic five hot dog eat-off before Chestnut emerged victorious.

On Saturday, Chestnut and Kobayashi far outpaced their closest competitor, third-place finisher Patrick Bertoletti, who downed 55 frankfurters.

Under sunny skies and with a giant blowup Heintz ketchup container at the side of the stage, the contestants got off to a start they could relish.

Kobayashi had a slight lead at the eight-dog mark after the first minute, but Chestnut pulled ahead seconds later. The lead changed hands several more times before Chestnut went in front for good with about seven minutes left.

'Potter' star recovering from swine flu

The agent for "Harry Potter" star Rupert Grint says the actor is recovering from a mild case of swine flu.

Grint plays the boy wizard's best friend Ron Weasley in the hit film franchise.

Christian Hodell of Hamilton Hodell management said Saturday that Grint took a few days away from the set of the latest film, but has now been able to return to work.

Today's birthdays

Rock star Huey Lewis is 59. Baseball Hall of Fame reliever Rich "Goose" Gossage is 58. Actress Edie Falco ("The Sopranos") is 46. Actress Kathryn Erbe is 44.

Source: The Associated Press

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