It’s Never Too Early To Start Hyping Competitive Eating Matches

American dog gobbler Joey Chestnut has devoured Takeru Kobayashi’s world record in a tune-up for July’s Nathan’s hot dog eating contest:

California man Joey Chestnut wolfed down 59 1/2 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes at a Phoenix contest yesterday — shattering champion Takeru Kobayashi’s world record.

Kobayashi’s old record of 533/4 was set last year at the Nathan’s Famous annual Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest, held at Coney Island.

Chestnut placed second in last year’s world championships, consuming 52 hot dogs.

Last year: Let’s Return The Competitive Eating Championship Where It Belongs: The Good ‘Ol Girth-Loving U. S. Of A.