It is an annual scene that has now almost become commonplace to the residents of Coney Island, New York — a group of 20 steely-eyed individuals lining up behind a 30-foot table at Nathan’s flagship restaurant to participate in the historic 12-minute World Hotdog Eating Championship . And right in the middle of it, a puny-looking Japanese man, Takeru Kobayashi, who would consistently out-eat all his much beefier rivals.
Mr. Kobayashi, who hails from Japan, became famous for his ability to wolf down over 53 hotdog buns in 12 minutes, winning the contest consistently between 2001 and 2006.
But everything changed over the weekend when Mr. Kobayashi was arrested at the site of the competition after trying to make his way on stage after this year’s event, according to reports.
Mr. Kobayashi had been banned from participating in the contest due to a contract dispute with Major League Eating (MLE), the body behind the contest, and had to watch from the sidelines as his rival, Joey Chestnut, won the contest by downing 54 hot dogs and buns for a fourth straight victory. Mr. Chestnut had already broken Mr. Kobayashi’s bun-eating record by demolishing 68 hotdogs last year.
Mr. Kobayashi's spokeswoman, Maggie James, said the incident was not a publicity stunt. “He got excited when people chanted his name after the contest .... so he jumped up on the stage because he wanted his fans to see him and [he thought] maybe they would chant, ‘Let him eat,’” Ms. James said.
According to CNN , Mr. Kobayashi had said he loved the contest and had wanted to participate, but that the contract was too restrictive. He had also reportedly said that all his income was earned through competitive eating, yet the new contract required by the competition would forbid him from competing elsewhere in the United States or Canada for a year.
Mr. Kobayashi is ranked third in the world in the eating contests and, according to reports, is still the world champion for eating cow brains (17.7 pounds in 15 minutes), lobster rolls (41 in 15 minutes) and rice balls (20 pounds in 30 minutes).
“This guy did great things for our sport… He’s a fearsome competitor,” said George Shea, MLE Chairman.
