Takeru Kobayashi Wins Crif Dog Classic

Competitive eater Takeru Kobayashi set a new record in competitive hot dog eating during the inaugural Crif Dog Classic in Brooklyn on Independence Day. Kobayashi ate 68-and-a-half hot dogs in 10 minutes to take home the $15,000 first place prize, reported Sports Illustrated.

Kobayashi out-ate the world record holder and his rival, Joey Chestnut, who currently holds the official world record of 68 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes, by half a dog.

While Kobayashi ate 68-and-a-half dogs, one-half more than the world record, the Crif Dog Classic was not sanctioned by the International Federation of Competitive Eating so Chestnut's record still stands.

Kobayashi gained notoriety in the competitive eating world after winning first place six consecutive times at Nathan's Famous July 4 International Hot Dog-Eating Contest in Coney Island, Brooklyn, from 2001 to 2006. Kobayashi was banned from the Nathan's Famous hot dog contest in 2010 after refusing to sign a contract that would allow him to only compete in sanctioned competitive eating competitions, according to the New York Post.

The Crif Dog Classic debuted this year at Roberta's Pizzeria in Bushwich, Brooklyn, hosting 10 of the world's best competitive eaters. Nearly 400 attendees looked on as Kobayashi took the prize.

A few years back Kobayashi made headlines for a much different reason. He was arrested for attempting to storm the stage at Nathan's Famous — the same year he was banned from the competition, according to the New York Post.

Kobayashi out-ate Nathan's Famous' first place winner Chestnut, who won the Nathan's Famous July 4 International Hot Dog-Eating Contest for the sixth straight year in a row Wednesday by eating 68 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes.

Sean Flynn is a Junior Writer for The Daily Meal. Follow him on Twitter @BuffaloFlynn