When the Gladiator Maximus famously declared what we do in life echoes through eternity, he obviously had people like Joey Chestnut in mind.
For the new American hot-dog eating champion, who took out victory yesterday during a sudden death elimination, will certainly go down in history for clenching back to back victories against Japanese arch rival Takeru Kobayashi.
Both tied at first, eating 59 dogs in the 10 minute final in New York, then moved on to the five dog sudden death round where Chestnut just scrapped by to win, the Daily Telegraph reported.
Kobayashi, who famously lost the title last year after a six year winning streak, had his plans sauced by Chestnut, who confidently gobbled up the crowds praise after the victory.
"He wanted it, but I needed it,'' Chestnut said of Kobayashi, the Telegraph reported.
The contest was held on New York’s Coney Island in front of thousands of on lookers who had gathered to celebrate Independence Day, the US’s national day.
The frankfurter showdown has been held on Coney Island on Independece day since 1916.
Chestnut, who weighed in at 95.26 kg, pocketed the (US)$10,000 prize, but more importantly took home the coveted mustard-yellow belt.
"It was crazy, I'm just a normal guy eating hot dogs on the Fourth – You can't overcomplicate it,'' he said.