Days after the public learned that Joey Chestnut would not be taking part in this year’s Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, Netflix revealed a new showdown featuring Chestnut and a former rival.
On Labor Day, Chestnut will compete against Takeru Kobayashi, who has won six Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contests. Kobayashi has been absent from the July 4 event in Coney Island, New York, since a contractual disagreement with Major League Eating in 2010. Earlier this week, event organizers announced Chestnut’s exclusion from this year’s competition due to his association with a vegan hot dog company, as long as the 16-time champion remained a partner.
The Netflix special, scheduled to be broadcast live on Labor Day, brings the two competitors together for a hot dog eating contest after 15 years. In the 2009 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, Chestnut emerged victorious over Kobayashi by consuming 68 hot dogs compared to Kobayashi’s 64.5.
“Throughout my time in competitive eating, Kobayashi was always my toughest competitor,” Chestnut stated in a press release. “Facing off against him pushed me to excel. Fans have been eager for another chapter in our rivalry, and I am thrilled for our grand showdown on Netflix! It’s time to give the audience what they’ve been waiting for!”
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Kobayashi continued competing in events not sanctioned by Major League Eating following the contract dispute with them.
“For me, retirement will only come after I defeat him one last time,” Kobayashi expressed in a Netflix press release. “The rivalry between us has been brewing for a long time. Competing against Joey live on Netflix will allow fans worldwide to witness me defeating him.”
Netflix mentioned that specific details such as event location and time are yet to be determined.
