New York  - The lowly hot dog, symbol of US Independence Day picnics, Friday again moved to the center of an annual competition, with the winner forced to endure an eat-off to break a tie.

It wasn't enough for Joey Chestnut, 24, of California, the defending world champion, to swallow 59 hot dogs in ten minutes. So did his long-time rival, Japan's Takeru Kobayashi, 30.

That put the two of them into overtime at the flagship hot-dog manufacturer Nathan's stand on Coney island, New York City's amusement outpost.

Kobayashi had even dyed his hair yellow and red, the colours of traditional hot dog condiments mustard and ketchup.

But it failed to give him the added speed for the eat-off, and Chestnut ate the five added doggies faster than Kobayashi, CNN reported.

"It was a little more chaotic than planned, but I got them down and swallowed them," a beaming Chestnut declared.

Competitors also had to eat the rolls, but were allowed to dunk them in water to speed their downward journey.

Last year, Chestnut stole the title from six-time world champion Kobayashi by eating 66 hot dogs in 12 minutes - three more than Kobayashi.

The winner receives a year's ration of hot dogs and a mustard- yellow winner's ribbon.

The international contest was launched in 1916 by Nathan's, with a 10-minute timeframe. The first winner only got down 13 dogs. Over the years, the time expanded to 12 minutes, but was taken back to 10 minutes this year. (dpa)