Japanese Challenger Has a New World Record to Relish

NEW YORK — A 100-pound mattress salesman from Saitama, Japan, set a new world record Tuesday by eating 25 hot dogs in just 12 minutes at Nathan's annual Fourth of July hot dog eating contest in Coney Island.

Kazutoyo Arai, 32, beat out his massive American challenger, reigning hot dog champ Steve "The Terminator" Keiner, 35, of Atlantic City, N.J. At 391 pounds, Keiner won the contest last year by downing 21-plus hot dogs in 12 minutes but came in this year at the middle of the pack by only eating 15 wieners and buns.

Dozens of people competed in the eating contest that has been held at Nathan's Famous hot dog stand in Brooklyn's Coney Island amusement park every Fourth of July since 1916. Contestants traveled to New York from all over the world to participate.

Arai promised to be back next year to defend his title. He walked away with the coveted mustard-yellow International Belt, a huge red trophy and 20 pounds of Nathan's hot dogs to take back to Japan.