Gallery: Top 10 Eating Contests

Consider yourself a food sport connoisseur? Do the names Takeru "Tsunami" Kobayashi, Joey "Jaws" Chestnut, or Crazy Legs Conti conjure up images of hot dog-stuffed mouths? Does it only feel like Fourth of July if you're watching the Nathan's Hot Dog Contest? Do you know what dunking and chipmunking mean? If so, then you know that competitive eating is hard work.

But did you know that competitive eating is such a big deal? Major League Eating (yes, that's right, there's a "league") hosts over 100 events a year worldwide in which the top eaters compete. Most events are under 15 minutes and, like any other professional sport, they come equipped with adoring fans and amusing commentators. Not to mention bizarre stuff-your-mouth contest beyond the usual hot dog throw-down (or should that be throw-up?).