Takeru Kobayashi, left, of Japan poses for photographs with last year's hot dog eating champion Joey Chestnut, of San Jose, during the weigh in news conference for the Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
World renowned competitive eater Takeru Kobayashi is aiming to chomp his way back to the top of New York's annual Fourth of July hot dog eating competition.
Last year, the 30-year-old Kobayashi's six-year winning streak was broken by young up-and-comer Joey Chestnut. The 24-year-old outweighs him by more than 80 pounds.
Japanese-born Kobayashi managed to wolf down 63 dogs and buns in the 12-minute time limit, while Chestnut gulped 66.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg says Kobayashi can't be counted out this year.
