NEW YORK Joey Chestnut achieved frankfurter immortality yesterday, outdueling his celebrated Japanese rival in an epic hot-dog eating contest that pushed both of the gluttonous gladiators to the brink.

In a seesaw struggle for the ages, Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi each consumed an eye-popping 59 hot dogs in 10 minutes, forcing an unprecedented showdown that tested the very depths of their distended stomachs.

Under the glare of ESPN and facing a boisterous and sweaty crowd of thousands on Coney Island, Chestnut, the reigning champ, and Kobayashi, the six-time title holder, were forced to gobble down an additional five hot dogs in overtime.

When it was over, Kobayashi was left holding a soggy mush of bun in his hand, and Chestnut had achieved nearly mythical status in the annual event held by Nathan's Famous since 1916.

It was a frankfurter photo finish.

"It was crazy," said the 24-year-old Chestnut, who was mentally prepared to eat 70 hot dogs and acknowledged that his body at times almost failed him. "It pushed back against me. I had to push harder. It just didn't want to swallow."

The diminutive Kobayashi, 30, had hoped to reclaim the throne after last year's disappointing three-dog loss shattered his six-year winning streak.

"If I put one more mouthful in, I could've won," Kobayashi said through a translator.

Richard Shea, one of the founders of the International Federation of Competitive Eating, said it was the first time in his memory that the contest went into overtime.

Chestnut, who clocked in at 210 pounds before the contest, downplayed his win, which carries a $10,000 prize.

"I'm just a normal guy eating hot dogs on the Fourth," he said. "You can't overcomplicate it."

Kobayashi, who weighs only 128 pounds, says he'll be back for a rematch next year and promises he'll win in a clear fashion.

But before that, the two will face off again at the Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship on Sept. 28 in Chattanooga, Tenn.