The Matador's bonus Super Bowl Coverage (of eating)

The 4^th of July is just around the corner and what better way than to pay homage to an American institution—Nathan's Hot Dog eating contest. The Matador is stepping outside the realm of the gridiron and entering this mysterious world. Last year, our American hero Joey "Jaws" Chestnut barely beat out Takeru "Tsunami" Kobayashi to claim top dog in the 2008 Nathan's Hot Dog eating competition. After time expired, both men tied by devouring 59 hot dogs and water drenched buns. In overtime, Chestnut was able to out chew and swallow Kobayashi for his 2nd consecutive title. Chestnut walked off the stage a champion with $10,000.00 in hand.

This year will prove to be another exciting rematch between Chestnut (-120) and Kobayashi (-110).

Chestnut, 25, hails from Vallejo, California. He boasts the Nathan's Hot Dog record for consuming 66 hot dogs in 12 minutes, destroying Kobayashi's old record. But what Chestnut can really be proud of is his love of American fare. He took down 241 chicken wings in 30 minutes at Wing Bowl XVI. In February, he was able to consume 10.5 pounds of macaroni and cheese in 7 minutes during the halftime show at the San Jose Stealth lacrosse game. Chestnut has a competitive advantage as he lives in the US and has access to Nathan's Hot Dogs everyday all year long. Also, he has a unique training regime marveled by nutritionists that includes fasting and then stretching his stomach with milk, water, and protein supplements. Even so, Chestnut will not win for a third consecutive year. This is Kobayashi's time to shine and reclaim the title.

Before Kobayashi, competitive food eating was virtually unheard of. His heroics and mass consumption of food have made him a living legend not only in Japan, but around the world. He is well built at 5' 8" weighing anywhere between 128-165 pounds. He has a signature move that’s been coined the “Kobayashi shake” in which he wiggles his body in such a way to allow the food to drain down his esophagus quickly in mass quantities. With this shake, he has amassed several personal records: 97 Krystal hamburgers in 8 minutes; 58 bratwurst sausages in 10 minutes; 17.7 pounds of cow brains in 15 minutes; and 20 pounds of rice balls in 30 minutes. Fans adore Kobayashi and believe in him. This machine is invincible and fears no one. In Man vs. Beast, Kobayashi had the balls to face a 1089-pound Kodiak bear. Though he wasn’t victorious, he still managed to consume 31 bunless hot dogs in 2 minutes and 36 seconds to the bear's 50.

At this year's Nathan's competition, the Kobayashi shake will be in full force and effect. So hurry up, jump on the bandwagon and buy your t-shirts today.

Kobayashi will win!!!!!

The smart money is on Kobayashi at -110.

For you risk takers, put a little $$$ on the field. At +1000, you really don't have much to lose.