Last year's event initially ended in a tie, with Chestnut and Kobayashi both gobbling down 59 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes.
Chestnut went on to win a dramatic five hot dog eat-off.
This year's Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest was broadcast live on ESPN.
Chestnut is from San Jose, Calif. Kobayashi is from Japan.
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