Apparently We Want No More Kobayashi?

AP  -  Former world hot-dog eating sensation Takeru Kobayashi of Japan wants to compete in this weekend's annual Fourth of July contest on Coney Island, but still can't agree to a contract with the organizers.

Kobayashi, one of the world's premier competitive eaters, won the contest for six years up to 2007 and then had to settle for second-place finishes behind American Joey Chestnut. He moved to New York in March so he could train with local hot dogs.


But his chances of getting revenge this weekend against Chestnut, from San Jose, Calif., seem slim because of a contract dispute with the event's organizer. Kobayashi, 32, has balked at signing an exclusivity clause with the group, and can't compete unless he does.


"I really want to compete in the event," Kobayashi told Japan's Kyodo news agency.


In a report from New York on Friday, Kyodo quoted Kobayashi as saying the event "holds a special place in my heart," but added he did not agree with the conditions.


Kobayashi became a celebrity and a hero in Japan by eating his way to victory from 2001 to 2006, a feat that remains unmatched. But Chestnut has won the title for the last three years, setting a world record by scarfing down 68 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes last year. Two years ago, Chestnut beat Kobayashi in a five-dog eat off, after they tied at 59 franks each.


Chestnut says he still sees Kobayashi as a rival - and a bitter one. They don't talk to each other, and did not shake hands after last year's eat off. Kobayashi lost to Chestnut last year by only 3 1/2 hot dogs.


In May last year, Kobayashi beat Chestnut in a pizza eating contest, consuming 5 3/4 pizzas in six minutes. Each pizza weighed one pound (0.45 kilogram). Chestnut could only manage 5 1/2 in that time.






First of all, let me start by saying that Kobayashi has nothing on Joey Chestnut. Kobayashi reminds me of like the Montreal Canadiens. You had your time at the top, and you were amazing during that time, but your time is done, and you no longer have a chance to win it all. Because now Joey Chestnut is the king. So, don't mistake my message here. Joey Chestnut is the champ.


But my question is... why is there a contract dispute here? Why would the organizers not want a Kobayashi - Chestnut matchup? It's like the NBA refusing to give LeBron a contract or something. Why wouldn't you want the two best eaters to battle each other in a hot dog eating contest? It just doesn't make sense. The tournament should have been begging Kobayashi to register; not the other way around. I'm not really sure what an "exclusivity clause" is when it comes to hot dog eating contests, but one side or the other must be able to figure it out. One of the top two stars in this "sport," and they can't get the contract negotiated just to let him compete? Utter absurdity.


PS -- I don't care that Kobayashi won a pizza eating contest. Who competes eating pizza? Hot dog eating contests are the only legitimate ones. So Chestnut is still the biggest boss out there.


PPS -- ESPN the Magazine claimed last year that Joey Chestnut can drink a gallon of milk in 41 seconds. Regular humans can't drink a gallon of milk in 1 hour (known as the "Gallon Challenge"). Could this even possibly be true? Vote 1 for there is no chance in hell Joey Chestnut downs a gallon of milk in 41 seconds. Vote 5 for he could definitely wipe out 6 acres worth of dairy cows by drinking milk at 41 seconds per gallon.