Walk it Off Kobayashi

Takeru "Tsunami" Kobayashi has been the premier professional eater in the world for 6 years. He currently holds world records for eating hamburgers, bratwursts, lobster rolls, cows' brains, and rice balls. He first came into the main stream in 2001 at the Nathan's Famous contest held every Fourth of July. At that event, Kobayashi ate an incredible 50 hot dogs in 12 minutes, nearly doubling the previous world record. He has won every Nathan's Famous contest since, setting a new world record again last year with a mark of 53 3/4 hot dogs.

Very few people have been able to consistently compete with the 29 year-old Japanese phenom, but American Joey Chestnut is one of them. After winning the Rookie of the Year award in 2005, Joey "Jaws" Chestnut finished second at last years world championships, just behind Kobayashi with 52 hot dogs. While Chestnut has been spectacular, with records of his own in Pork Ribs, Waffles, Chicken Wings, and Asparagus, he has yet to be able to beat Kobayashi at the main event.

That was all set to change this year, after Joey Chestnut shattered Kobayashi's world record on June 2 at the Southwest Regional Hotdog Eating Championship by stuffing 59 1/2 hotdogs and buns down his throat. The stage was set for an upset. For the last six years, we've been outdone by a skinny 160 lb Japanese man. Now it was America vs. Japan all over again, and Chestnut was going to bring the crown back home. After all, this is what Americans do, we eat obscene amounts of food.

Now, however, it looks like the title bout will be short by one person. It was reported this week that Kobayashi has suffered a serious jaw injury while training for the World Championships. The Tsunami has been allegedly diagnosed with jaw arthritis and can barely open his jaw. On his blog, Takeru said "I was continuing my training and bearing with the pain but finally I destroyed my jaw." Even with the injury, Kobayashi has said he still hopes to compete in the July 4 event.

Some people with less integrity than I might insinuate that Kobayashi is feigning the injury out of fear of being defeated by Joey Chestnut, or perhaps that this is merely a publicity stunt to garner support among the spectators. I would never sink to that level, but it is awfully convenient.

If Kobayashi does not compete, Joey Chestnut will be the overwhelming favorite, but will have to face the competition of another accomplished eater: Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas. Sonya, at 39 years old and a surprisingly petite 105 pounds, currently holds 23 world records, including boiled eggs, oysters, crab cakes, and meatballs. Sonya also holds the female record at Nathan's with a mark of 37 hot dogs.