Joey Chestnut wins state eat-off in Daly City

Chestnut, a 21-year-old junior at San Jose State University took up competitive eating after winning a burrito-eating contest at a local restaurant and has risen quickly to success.

The champ says he drinks lots of water to stretch his stomach; sometimes he'll eat half-cooked oatmeal and let it expand.

Seem like a strange way to spend one's time?

"Not for Joey," joked Phyllis Childers, a family friend who came out to watch.

Second place went to Huntington Beach eater Jed Donahue with 21 1/4. "Hungry" Charles Hardy from New York put away 18 1/2 hot dogs to end up in third. The eaters are required to eat both buns and dogs and many dip the bread in water to help it slide down.

Staggering though these numbers may seem, they don't hold a candle to last year's national champ, renowned eater Takeru Kobayahi, who scarfed down 53 1/2 wieners to become top dog.

The national trial, Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest, has taken place on Coney Island since 1916.

Chestnut will be flown to New York in July along with the winners of the other regional contests to stuff themselves with as much meat and bun as they can.

He hopes to reach at least 30 dogs by that time.

The International Federation of Competitive Eaters, who sanctions these events, say competitive eating is the fastest-growing sport in America.

Wait - what's that word?

"I think it truly is a sport," said Rob Cooper, a spectator who grew up in San Mateo.

"It requires training, stamina and hand-eye coordination," he said.

Saturday's eaters demonstrated all three, though athletes with high cholesterol might still want to stick to the treadmill.