America's Biggest Eaters: Joey 'Jaws' Chestnut

(CANVAS STAFF REPORTS) - Joey "Jaws" Chestnut is the star of competitive eating and its signature event, Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest.

The 26-year-old from San Jose, Calif. is currently ranked first in the world by the International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE) and is going for his fourth consecutive win at Nathan's.

"I'm happy I'm at the top. It's motivation to keep pushing," said Chestnut about the sport and his place in it.

As the superstar of the sport, he gets recognized at baseball games and restaurants. He likes the attention, saying that the fans are always great. He feels that the sport has grown from an underground event to mainstream entertainment.

In 2007, he shocked the world by beating Takeru Kobayashi, who had won Nathan's six years in a row. Chestnut consumed 66 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes, which set a world record.

He followed that showing by topping Kobayashi the next year in a 5-hot-dog eat-off because the two were tied at 59 hot dogs and buns after 10 minutes. Last year Chestnut devoured 68 hot dogs and buns, setting a new world record.

This year the rematch may not happen, as Kobayashi is seemingly out of the contest due to a contract dispute with Major League Eating. Though Chestnut is frustrated by the controversy, he feels that Kobayashi will show up at the event.

"What's he going to do? He's a competitive eater. Is he going to put on a hardhat and go to work?" said Chestnut in a phone interview. "If he doesn't show up it will be the dumbest thing anyone has done in professional sports."

While fans will have to wait to see if Kobayashi participates, Chestnut is only focused on doing well in the event, having spent the last three months training and regulating his diet.

On Wednesday "Jaws" will do his last practice run: 40 hot dogs and buns and a gallon-and-half of water, which will simulate "maximum capacity." He will then refrain from eating until the event, drinking only water and milk to keep his stomach in shape.

He said that he has had record breaking practices, revealing on ESPN that he has had practice runs where he consumed 69 to 72 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes.

He said there is a good chance for a record setting performance at this year's event.

Chestnut keeps pushing the limits of the sport and his body. He feels that he can continue to eat more and more, always thinking that he "could do a little more next time."

Chestnut described his eating career to CSNCalifornia saying, "for me it's an amazing job already. Even though I'm not getting paid millions, I'm getting paid $150,000 per year to eat. And that's good enough for me."

More. This year's event is filled with all the drama and excitement of a world-class fight:
• Joey Chestnut is going for his fourth consecutive title.
• Pat "Deep Dish" Bertoletti is trying to get to the top.
• Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas seeks to remain the top woman.
• Bob "Notorious B.O.B." Shoudt is looking to eat his age in hot dogs and buns.
• What surpise does "Eater X" Tim Janus has in store for the crowd.