Kobayashi to defend hot dog crown vs. Chestnut
NEW YORK -- They stood toe to toe, eye to eye, and -- most importantly -- jaw to injured jaw.
Six-time defending champion Takeru Kobayashi, still unable to open his mouth wide enough for a typical teeth cleaning, joined favorite Joey Chestnut at a Tuesday weigh-in before their Fourth of July hot dog eating showdown in Coney Island.
The Japanese title holder declared himself ready to gorge, dismissing suggestions by skeptics that his stiff jaw was nothing more than hot dog head games aimed at rattling world record holder Chestnut.
"I don't care what they think," the 29-year-old said through an interpreter. "I just want to battle tomorrow."
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