Takeru Kobayashi (R), current world hot dog eating champion from Japan,
and American Champion Eric Booker eat hot dogs after the official
weigh-in for the 88th annual Nathan's Famous Fourth of July
International Hot Dog Eating Contest at New York's City Hall July 3,
2003. Last year, Kobayashi doubled the world record in hot dog eating
by downing 50 1/2 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes.

REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton