Missing Link? Joey Chestnut Probably Ate It; Titlist Downs 68 Hot Dogs In Coney Island

July 4, 2009 5:10 p.m. EST

New York, NY (AHN) - To be frank, there is no better hot dog eater than Joey Chestnut.

The 25-year-old defended his Nathan's hot dog eating title Saturday by downing a new world record 68 links following days of difficult---burp!---practice.

As usual, the San Jose native had to outchomp Takeru Kobayashi, which he did by four.

Chestnut said he relished the opportunity to not only 'ketchup' to Kobayashi, he also knew he could 'mustard' the strength to defeat him.

"After the second minute I knew my body was cooperating," Chestnut said, according to the New York Daily News.

Chestnut won $20,000, the coveted mustard belt and the right to be considered number bun, er one.