Hot Dog Eating Champ to Judge Sailor Contest
Erik Slavin - Stars and Stripes
Mar 17, 2009
YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan -- One of the most recognized names in the world of competitive eating will judge a hot dog-eating contest for single sailors April 3.
Takeru "The Tsunami" Kobayashi also will meet sailors and sign autographs at the event, which begins at 4:30 p.m. in front of the Yokosuka Fleet Recreation Center.
Kobayashi is a six-time winner of the annual Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island, N.Y.
Although Kobayashi is 5 feet 8 inches and weighs 160 pounds, according to the International Federation of Competitive Eating Web site, he has set multiple world records against much larger people.
He ate 59 hot dogs at the 2008 Coney Island contest, but came in second place after an "eat-off" of five hot dogs.
Some of Kobayashi’s other records include eating 20 pounds of rice balls in 30 minutes, 41 lobster rolls in 10 minutes and 17.7 pounds of cow brains in 15 minutes, according to the International Federation of Competitive Eating.
"Kobayashi not only brings with him his celebrity status as a competitive eater, but also a message of motivation and determination," said Amanda Buzzell, of the United Service Organizations, which is hosting the event with Yokosuka Morale, Welfare and Recreation.
Hot Stuff Foods is donating hot dogs for all who attend and also is giving away prizes, Buzzell said.
Contestants will be pre-selected among the base’s various commands, Buzzell said.
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