Joey Chestnut Ate 68 Hot Dogs and Buns in 10 Minutes

Joey Chestnut Ate 68 Hot Dogs and Buns in 10 Minutes - Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest, Eating contest records, Eat your heart out, Joey Chestnut is America's pride and joy, holding the record in 25 different Major League Eating contests, including the world-renowned Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island. In 2009, Chestnut wolfed his way into history with a record that still stands, but in 2011 Takeru Kobayashi scarfed down one more hot dog than Chestnut in an unofficial simulcast.It wouldn't be the Fourth of July without hot dogs -- or more specifically, hot dog eating contests.

Every year at Nathan's Famous in Coney Island, competitive eaters race to see who can down the most hot dogs and buns in ten minutes. Tens of thousands of fans gather to watch the event live and ESPN broadcasts it on its network.

This year, reigning champion , downing 68 hot dogs and buns. Chestnut has won every contest at Nathan's since 2007 and in 2009 set the world record with 68 hot dogs.

He tells the AP that he was trying to break his world record but a bad minute halfway into the competition ruined his shot. "I'm a little bummed out that I didn't get to 70," he said.

Nathan's wasn't the only place to see hot dog champions stuff sausages down their gullets. At Crif Dog in Bushwick, former world champion Takeru Kobayashi . Kobayashi -- who, like Chestnut, has won six Mustard Belts -- was banned from the Nathan's event in 2010 after a contract dispute with Major League Eating.

Yes, hot dog contests have gone political! Watch this highlight reel of Chestnut's winning binge and let us know what you think of eating contests in the comments.

With the Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island set for July 4, we take a look at some of the most impressive eating records on file at the Major League Eating website. Prepare to be amazed — and probably a little disgusted.