San Jose man gobbles up 66 hot dogs, title

In a gut-busting showdown that combined drama, daring and indigestion, Californian Joey Chestnut emerged as the world’s hot dog eating champion, knocking off six-time winner Takeru Kobayashi in a record-setting triumph on Coney Island.

Chestnut, 23, of San Jose, broke his own world record of 59 1/2 by inhaling 66 hot dogs in 12 minutes before an enthusiastic crowd.

Kobayashi, the Japanese eating machine, finished second with 63 hot dogs consumed, a personal best.