Let me preface this entry by saying I'm a little embarrassed that I find this so entertaining....
The past couple of years on the 4th of July, I've watched the Coney Island Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. For all of the years I've watched (maybe 6?), the competition has been dominated by this tiny Japanese guy named Kobayashi. He is unstoppable.....or WAS unstoppable, until today.
Last year, another contestant gave him a run for his money. His name is Joey Chestnut. The 2007 showdown was going to be interesting because Kobayashi had a jaw injury due to a recent wisdom tooth extraction, not to mention the fact that Joey was right on his heels in last year's battle. In fact, Kobayashi didn't even arrive on the bus with all the other contestants today .....he arrived later by limo, because he was getting last minute acupuncture treatments for his injury.
Watching this on ESPN is strangely exciting....from the packed crowd, screaming and waving yellow inflatable tubes, to the announcer yelling out the introductions of the eaters as they strut across the stage to take their positions before huge plates of hot dogs and cups of water (for dunking the buns in....a common technique utilized by many of the competitors). Then, once the eating actually commences, it is at the same time disgusting, yet riveting and impressive. The announcers doing the color commentary are very amusing (and quite informative in the arena of competitive eating). I learned that one of the two female eaters, whose nickname is the Black Widow, once ate one tenth of her body weight in cheesecake. Wow! I learned that the "reversal of fortune" (ummm....when the food comes back up during competition) can be grounds for disqualification. I also learned about different eating techniques.....for example, "chipmunking".....which is storing the food in your cheeks, as you cram more down your gullet. FASCINATING!!!!!!!!!!
This year's competition didn't disappoint. I think in the first minute and a half, Joey had managed to inhale 15 hot dogs. Kobayashi started a bit slower but as time progressed, pulled within 2 hot dogs. Then in the final 5 minutes or so, tied with Joey. I don't think Kobayashi ever took over the lead, but it was definitely a photo finish and the commentators predicted that the judges would most likely have to make the final decision. In the last few seconds, Kobayashi unfortunately (and quite grossly, for spectators watching) had a reversal of fortune, yet continuted eating. Hot dogs and vomit.....tasty! Ummmm....YUCK! A few minutes later, the judges rendered their decision......Kobayashi was docked 3 hot dogs for his regurgitation and came in second. And with a new world record, a ridiculous 66 hot dogs in 12 minutes, Joey Chestnut from the United States, was crowned champion!
Good times......
p.s. I love that competitive eating is a "sport" with a federation to regulate the competitions. It's called the International Federation of Competitive Eating. I checked out the website http://www.ifoce.com/. Give it a look.....you can read all about the top 20 competitive eaters, as well as find out about upcoming competitions (just in case you wanted to start training!)
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2 comments:
Would you attend a competitive eating contest - or is that a little too close for comfort?
-K
It would depend on what they were making people eat, and also whether or not the tickets were free to the event! Remember that show on tv a few years ago where they had about 10 eating competitions in an hour....I believe they called it the "Glutton Bowl". I specifically remember the stick of butter eating competition and the 6 foot sub of sushi/wasabi. GREAT! Disgusting, but great!
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