I discovered the annual Fourth of July Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest on ESPN several years ago. It’s one of those kooky not-quite-a-real-sporting-events that used to be a staple of ESPN. The whole world of competitive eating is a little bizarre, if not flat out creepy. But I’ve found it compelling.

The Michael Jordan of the competitive eating world is a diminutive Japanese contestant named Takeru Kobayashi. He’s dominated the competition for years, setting the hot dog eating record at 53 3/4 hot dogs. The guy has been untouchable … until now. There is a new king, and his name is Joey Chestnut:

Joey Chestnut, 22, shattered the record held by Takeru Kobayashi of Japan by downing 59 1/2 “HDBs” - hot dogs and buns - during the Southwest Regional Hot Dog Eating Championship at the Arizona Mills Mall in suburban Tempe.

Kobayashi’s old record of 53 3/4 was set last year at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest, held at Coney Island in New York, said George Costos, who helps runs the regional contests for Nathan’s.