Injury Sets Back Japans Hot Dog Star

One of the greatest stars in franchising (not including the sports franchises), Takeru Kobayashi, six-time champion of Nathan's Famous hot dog eating contest has a bad case of jaw arthritis. That's unfortunate because he faces his biggest challenge in years this fourth of July from big bad American boy, Joey Chestnut.

The title may be given to wriggling Joey this year (see video).

But wait. In what may be the greatest miracle in the sport to date, Mr. Kobayashi's manager says that the winner of every Coney Island competition since 2001 has received treatment for his jaw problems. He's flying to the U.S. today and will attend the match. The manager says that Kobayashi intends to take part in both the Nathan's hot dog eating competition and Pizza Hut "Dare You To Still Be Hungry" contest a few days later on July 10.