What's the record at the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest? Here's that and more of the craziest eating contest records

Independence Day represents the freedom from tyrannical rule in this country. It's also a day the sporting world fixates on hot dogs. 

The Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island has become appointment viewing over the last decade, largely thanks to the dominance of Takeru Kobayashi and Joey Chestnut. 

The competition Thursday will kick off at noon with Chesnut, the legendary competitive eater, ready to defend his crown -- or, in this case, the Mustard Belt. The 11-time champion of the event won last year's event by downing a record 74 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. 

As a professional eater, Chestnut's gorging prowess is not limited to grilled franks, and the 35-year-old California native owes several other unique eating records.

Here are some of his -- and others' -- world-class efforts in shoveling various foods in their mouths, according to Major League Eating:

141 Hard Boiled Eggs in 8 minutes

Joey Chestnut in 8 minutes -- Oct. 5, 2013

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10 pounds spaghetti and red sauce

Matt Stonie in 8 minutes -- Oct. 17, 2015 

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50 3.25-oz Pancakes

Patrick Bertoletti in 10 minutes -- Sept. 29, 2012 

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80 Chicken Nuggets

Sonya Thomas in 5 minutes -- July 8, 2004

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12 Fletcher's Corn Dogs

Richard "the Locust" LeFevre in 10 minutes -- Sept. 28, 2003

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30 8-ounce Gyros

Joey Chestnut in 10 minutes -- May 15, 2016

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118 Jalapeno Poppers

Joey Chestnut in 10 minutes -- April 8, 2006 

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83 slices of 10-inch pizza 

Geoffrey Esper in 10 minutes -- April 22, 2018 

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15 bowls (16 ounce) of Gumbo

Joey Chestnut in 8 minutes -- Nov. 7, 2015 

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41 Lobster Rolls

Takeru Kobayashi in 10 minutes -- Sept. 23, 2006

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4.46 pounds of Nathan's Famous Crinkle Cut Fries

Cookie Jarvis in 6 minutes -- March 31, 2005

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9 pounds of Boneless Buffalo Wings 

Patrick Bertoletti in 10 minutes -- May 7, 2011