Chestnut to face Kobayashi in rival hot dog contest after Nathan’s ban

June 13, 2024 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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CONEY ISLAND — LEGENDARY 16-TIME NATHAN’S Hot Dog Eating Competition winner Joey Chestnut will face his longtime rival Takeru Kobayashi in a competitive eating battle of the greats — but the faceoff won’t be at the Nathan’s stage in Coney Island this July 4, after Chestnut was banned this week over an endorsement deal with vegan brand Impossible Foods. Instead, the New York Times reports, the two will compete live on Netflix on Sept. 2 in “Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef.” Although the location and prizes of the event are yet to be announced, Chestnut is enthusiastic: “I know that fans have waited a long time for another chapter of our rivalry, and I can’t wait for our massive showdown live on Netflix!”

Kobayashi, a six-time Nathan’s champ who himself was banned from the contest over a contract dispute in 2010, had earlier this year announced his retirement from competitive eating but said in a press statement that some things were too important: “[R]etiring for me will only happen after I take [Chestnut] down one last time.”

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