Joey Chestnut Fourpeats Nathan’s, Kobayashi arrested after contest
update July 5 #2 CNN has a video of Kobayashi after his release. Kobayashi’s next appearance in court will be on August 5.
CalorieLab has a human translation of Kobayashi’s July 3 blog entry.
update July 5 The Associated Press reports that Kobayashi has been freed from jail and will have a court appearance today.
update 10:55 pm Some more links
An updated New York Daily News article
Yahoo News has an AP article with over 1000 comments
Deadspin has a blog entry with a video
Youtube has another video
New York Metromix has a gallery
“Kobayashi arrested” is #6 in Google Trends, over 8 hours after the incident
Gastroboy noted that someone claiming to be Kobayashi has started a twitter at http://twitter.com/FreeKobayashi
update 2:39 The New York Post has a more detailed article about Kobayashi’s arrest. (via gastroboy)
Two beefy men, wearing polo shirts with NYPD logos, stopped Kobayashi as he attempted to hop a barricade and reach Joey Chestnut after the San Jose, Calif., eating machine won his fourth consecutive Nathan’s title.
The muscle men put Kobayashi in a headlock and dragged him backstage. Witnesses said that it appeared Kobayashi had no ill intent and wanted to congratulate Chestnut.
update 1:42 The Associated Press reports that Takeru Kobayashi was taken into custody by police after he went on stage after the contest.
The results: Results #4 – #16 from the eating contest twitter
1) Joey Chestnut 54, fourth victory in a row
2) Tim Janus 45
3) Pat Bertoletti 37
4) Sonya Thomas 36
5) Bob Shoudt 34
6) Erik Denmark 32
7) Tim “Gravy” Brown 31
8) Allen “Shredder” Goldstein 28
9) Juliet Lee 27
9) Ben Monson 27
11) Sean Gordon 26.5
12) Eric “Badlands” Booker 24
12) Pete Davekos 24
14) Crazy Legs Conti 20
15) Bryan Beard 15.5
16) Krystopher Adams 11
12:53 Joey Chestnut wins comfortably
12:48 At the halfway point. Joey Chestnut has a comfortable lead. Rich Shea alludes to the controversial escondido qualifier.
12:43 The contest starts. “Joey Chestnut” and “dog eating contest” are twitter trending topics. Kobayashi is shown in the crowd.
12:28 The eaters’ entrances start
The Nathan’s commercial showed Kobayashi, Dale Boone & Cookie Jarvis.
Paul Page called Joey Chestnut “Joey Chitwood”.
It is official that Takeru Kobayashi will not compete. This will be the first finals without a Japanese competitor since 1996.
SillyAmerica, HungrySisters, Will Millender and Gothamist are live blogging
BadlandsBooker and the eating contest twitter have posted a lot of pictures.
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ANONYOUS said
July 4, 2010 @ 1:10 pm
Glad you didnt bother with second by second updates. Just not worth it One word to describe BORING!
WyattEarp said
July 4, 2010 @ 1:12 pm
It was sad….Kobayashi tried to run on to the stage at the last minute and was told “no way…you gambled for more money and lost.” To late to change your mind. I wish ESPN had showed it. Although, it would have been embarrasing since thay literrally had to drag him out.
Anonymous said
July 4, 2010 @ 1:16 pm
Joey ate 54, what a lame total compared to when Koby is there and i swear i saw Kobi in the audience, probably giving the Shea’s the finger – you go Koby!!!! dont take there crap, you should go to AICE and eat in there next contest.
Anonymous said
July 4, 2010 @ 1:19 pm
I fell asleep during the broadcast. Thanks for posting the top 3. What about the rest? Where did everybody finish?
Anonymous said
July 4, 2010 @ 1:20 pm
I fell asleep, what happened, hahahaha – just kidding i know Joey Chinnuts won, what a sleeper
Anonymous said
July 4, 2010 @ 1:28 pm
Boring without Kobayashi, seems like everyone did low numbers. Is that the lowest Chestnut ever did?
Mega Munch said
July 4, 2010 @ 1:32 pm
Huh? What happened? I fell asleep halfway through the contest. The last thing I remember is Rich Shea reading another witty quip off of his note cards.
Anonymous said
July 4, 2010 @ 1:33 pm
That was the most boring televised event I have ever seen
Mega Munch said
July 4, 2010 @ 1:34 pm
It broke my heart thought to see Koby in the crowd. The way he was jumping up and down, I thought he was getting himself psyched up for his surprise last-second announcement as a competitor, but it wasn’t to be. Boo to Joey for his “if he were a real man, he’d be on the stage” comment about Koby not competing. Him not being there has nothing to do with manhood, it’s about preserving his freedoms.
gastroboy said
July 4, 2010 @ 1:47 pm
1. I didn’t see the contest, but looks like it was a boring contest indeed.
2. I guess by the final totals, koby had high chances of winning this year.
3. WTF is that, did Koby really got arrested?
http://twitter.com/hungrysisters/status/17734363024
http://twitter.com/sillyamerica/status/17734311205
A-Bomb said (Registered May 7, 2009)
July 4, 2010 @ 1:49 pm
X. Gloves. Awesome. Ha!
ojrifkin said (Registered July 27, 2005)
July 4, 2010 @ 1:51 pm
That’s what the Associated Press is reporting
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/04/AR2010070403091.html
A-Bomb said (Registered May 7, 2009)
July 4, 2010 @ 2:00 pm
That comment by Joey should be turned around – if you were a real man, you wouldn’t be up on stage.
gastroboy said
July 4, 2010 @ 2:03 pm
I don’t see kobayashi doing anything silly enough to get arrested. I do see the Sheas trying to make him lost his visa though. Or hurting his image. Let’s see how this all ends…
What a sad excuse said
July 4, 2010 @ 2:03 pm
today is the day MLE died. Mark my words
anonymous said
July 4, 2010 @ 2:07 pm
get set for pearl harbor 2
Anonymous said
July 4, 2010 @ 2:10 pm
The ifoce has burned a bridge they wish they hadn’t. I don’t see Koby ever signing with them again. I hope he realizes he is better off without those morons. No longer can they say their eaters are the best in the world. The world’s best has been cast aside. Koby will be smiling about this by year’s end. The ifoce, on the other hand will be devastated!
gastroboy said
July 4, 2010 @ 2:32 pm
The muscle men put Kobayashi in a headlock and dragged him backstage. Witnesses said that it appeared Kobayashi had no ill intent and wanted to congratulate Chestnut.
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/brooklyn/kobayashi_arrested_as_chestnut_nabs_gjRYsMPKZYNakHVd2aGmwO
What a sad excuse @2:03pm I hope, really hope you’re right!
beautifulbrian said
July 4, 2010 @ 2:51 pm
Here is the real story from the horses mouth ok .Kobe rushed the stage so he could curse Joey out after he learned that Joey badmouthed him to the reporters. Kobe wanted his translater by his side on stage so he could translat the profanity to him. It was anything but a congrag on Kobe part. Maybe he should have thought twice about moving to NYC.
Matt Stonie said
July 4, 2010 @ 2:52 pm
dude listen… first for all those hopeing for the downfall of the MLE go complain somewhere else, im pretty sure this is a pro-competive eatting site, not an anti one so go whine on calorie-count or somethin not here. also i know kobayashi pionieered alot in the eating sport but people move on… if its not Kobayashi ill turn to someone else for those who like to watch these events. Im not saying that he doesnt add something cuz this event did like the head to head battle. As far as Kobayashi’s disision who care.. let it run and see what happen, if he benefits good for him.
-this stuff is not the end of the world your all over exaggerating
gastroboy said
July 4, 2010 @ 2:55 pm
Contest already in Youtube…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4OkT_nbj4w
gastroboy said
July 4, 2010 @ 2:58 pm
Koby at 5:09 :S
Wow just Wow! said
July 4, 2010 @ 3:00 pm
I’m ashamed to say I’m part of the IFOCE today, this bussines with Conti, the treatmeant of Kobe, Joey making the statements he did, haming it up and plugging Pepto in every interview and grabs a bottle right after the contest. Not to mention it looks like all the eaters just kinda mailed it in knowing the couldn’t keep up with Joey, easily one of the most boring contests in a LOOONG time, the crowd was more hyped up before the contest then during. If Nathan’s were smart, they would pull their contract with MLE ASAP and start to run things themselves or hire another outside enterainment promotor to handle things, this way there will never be a silly contract excuse.
The $hea’s really fucked themeselves on this one and I truly hope their greed bites them in the ass!
I feel really bad for Kobe, he made what competitive eating is today and for them to treat him like second rate trash is just sickining!
Matt "Mega Toad" Stonie said (Registered June 22, 2010)
July 4, 2010 @ 3:03 pm
and just a note…
i give major props to Sonya Thomas for her 4th place with 36 right above Bob Shout
i still find it super impressive how she can do as well as she does
Joke. said
July 4, 2010 @ 3:16 pm
Now everyone finally sees what a joke the Shea brothers and their IFOCE are.
Anonymous said
July 4, 2010 @ 3:18 pm
I wish Kobayashi had made it to the stage, and I wish he had shown F**knuts what a real man was.
The Press said
July 4, 2010 @ 3:19 pm
I see Conti did a whoping 20! I’m really glad he was there to make things super EXCITING!
Anonymous said
July 4, 2010 @ 3:57 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACO6rYK5dhM
What a site
Anonymous said
July 4, 2010 @ 3:59 pm
Sad spectacle.
gastroboy said
July 4, 2010 @ 4:10 pm
Video of him being arrested :S
http://www.chicagotribune.com/videobeta/?watchId=f1dbc2ae-3729-44aa-a9c7-16835ce34781
Sad.
Pat From Moonachie said (Registered December 10, 2005)
July 4, 2010 @ 4:14 pm
I smell “Heel Turn”!
Mega Munch said
July 4, 2010 @ 4:17 pm
Koby arrested? That’s sad. Sounds like a misunderstanding. The cops didn’t know who he was and thought he was some random guy storming the stage. Let’s hope all the charges are dropped and there’s no hard feelings.
Anonymous said
July 4, 2010 @ 4:21 pm
If Joey was talking trash , hes more of a pussy then i thought he was, Joey can eat I will give him that for sure, but he is a nerding,boring, non badass who shouldnt talk shit, hell Sonya could kick his ass in a fight and to take Kobi away in a headlock shows just how much class the MLE/IFOCE really doesnt have, I used to defend them against all the haters, but now I’m starting to see the light.
SPBBBBMBBB said
July 4, 2010 @ 4:42 pm
I was excited to see I made the program (3 second close up from Charlotte), even though I didn’t make the final! Made my day!….yeah, I know, pitiful, but, all I can say is..WHOOOP!
Derelik my balls said
July 4, 2010 @ 4:46 pm
although i agree the contest would have been better and more competitive with koby, Joey ‘the american hero’ just ate 54 dogs in 10 minutes and some are talking shit? WTF? it wasn’t a record but it was far more than any of us could have eating. lets praise instead of hating. the mustard belt is still in the usa 4 years running. lets have a little respect. and if this is the “death of CE” its because ofannoyamous idoits that hate instead of appreciate.
just a friendly reminder… I LOVE THIS COUNTRY!!!!!
Anonymous said
July 4, 2010 @ 4:52 pm
http://espn.go.com/espn3/player?id=16061&league=Nathans%20Hot%20Dog&size=condensed
36:20
36:54
we love your gloves X!
😉
SPBBBBMBBB said
July 4, 2010 @ 5:19 pm
Even though costumes outlawed….good showings for Best Dressed Eater…hands down Gravy Brown dominates with the Head of Erik the Red, and a great zombie look….(I was so proud, I almost cried)….X with the Gloves-genius! Bryan Beard looking fab in that big dumb hat! Notorious B.O.B – look that neckwear. Erik…nice job with the poster retaliation…Legs always debonair….Juliet seemed to have “enhanced” part of her outfit, too – my hot dog perked up! Kobayashi wearing two security guards…I think that should count!!
Anonymous said
July 4, 2010 @ 5:25 pm
I appreciate this country as much as anyone, as much as I respect Koby’s right to come up on stage when the contest was over. Joey was already luckyKoby didn’t kick his ass gurgitationally, now he can feel doubly fortunate, that Koby didn’t kick his ass physically. Joey likes to talk shit. I wonder what he would have done if the “beefy” men had not restrained Koby …
God Bless America indeed!
Anonymous said
July 4, 2010 @ 5:48 pm
Joey is far from an American hero. He’s an American Zero. Oh yes, and much like the Japanese Zeros in WWII, Koby has something for both Joey’s and the IFOCE’s sorry asses.
IFOCE? said
July 4, 2010 @ 6:09 pm
With every contest, IFOCE seems more and more of a joke now. They’re getting close to Dale Boone’s organization in terms of credence now.
hmmmm said
July 4, 2010 @ 6:12 pm
Sounds like a gigantic publicity stunt. BB any footage of the incident with Kobe? May have been the MLE’s last ditch effort to stir some excitement at Nathan’s, Joey cruising to such an easy win. The big question is: what will this do for CE….+ or -.
DWagner said
July 4, 2010 @ 6:22 pm
Kinda surprised that Badlands only downed 24, after his 38.5 qualifier… wonder what happened there? Guess I should watch the espn feed, eh? Gotta see if crazy legs got booed at all…
gastroboy said
July 4, 2010 @ 6:48 pm
Takeru kobayashi trending topic(ranked first in hot topics and 2 and 3 in hot searches) in google search
http://www.google.es/trends
Don '' Moses''Lerman said
July 4, 2010 @ 6:55 pm
I hear that George introduced Alan Goldstein as the Bologna & Matzot Ball Champ , I don’t fault Shredder but I’ll l never have anything to do with MLE from this point on , the nerve to erase my accomplishments and attribute them to others
Anonymous said
July 4, 2010 @ 7:24 pm
I agree with you Don. They are a trashy bunch of shisters!
"Tiny" said (Registered March 5, 2008)
July 4, 2010 @ 7:46 pm
The Shea’s are devolving at a deadly pace. The word “sellout” should be tattooed on the crooked teeth of Joey Chestnuts. Kobayashi MADE the MLE what it is. He put CE on the map. He IS the best eater on the planet. IFOCE has really started digging a hole for themselves. Classless. Disrespectful. Arrogantly stupid. And for them to compare MLE to the NFL is just dumb.
Worst 4th of July EVER.
Anonymous said
July 4, 2010 @ 7:52 pm
Totally agree Tiny! Today the IFOCE showed its true colors. If eaters have talent they chew them up and spit them out. Well, they are f+*king with the wrong person when they chose to mess with the greatest eater this world has ever known. He will destroy what’s left of them and I can’t wait to see it!
Anonymous said
July 4, 2010 @ 7:59 pm
The corporate sell out for Pepto was pathetic too. Rumor has it that joey made more as a spokesman than he did from Nathan’s.
Anonymous said
July 4, 2010 @ 8:07 pm
The great Juliet Lee should join forces with Koby. They would be an awesome duo.
Rob said
July 4, 2010 @ 8:08 pm
MLE minus Kobayashi = Fail
Despite all the chaos/controversy, I wonder how many hot dogs Kobayashi would have eaten? 70+? 75?
Mega Munch said
July 4, 2010 @ 8:09 pm
BB, where did you hear that that was Koby’s reason for getting on stage? How would anyone know that that was his reason?
Anonymous said
July 4, 2010 @ 8:43 pm
even getting arrested is way bigger news than Joey doing anything, I have lost all respect for Joey, I cant stand when guys talk smack, to look big (When anyone that knows Joey, knows he cant fight and shouldnt be even trying to pull of that role) he probably knew the cops would stop anything from happening already which makes him more of a skirt – Joey and Koby should have a MMA fight and see what happens. but I’m sure Joey would just get sand in his vagina and wimp out
BigWillTheChamp said (Registered February 1, 2009)
July 4, 2010 @ 8:46 pm
So, as OJ posted, I was there, in the VIP. Koby stopped and did his thing right behind me.
I thought it seemed like Joey had extra security.
When koby showed up, his boy hoisted him in the air. It appeared that none of the other eaters knew he was going to be there. A couple of them did see him and waved hi.
I saw him point at Janus. In a way that said “I want you to pull it off.”
If you’ve seen wrestling in the 90’s, myself and someone else there mentioned how it seemed like an NWO type thing. An outsider trying to intimidate a champ and screw up his game.
I also thought it was odd how many cops were guarding the stairs to the stage. Seemed like an unreasonable amount.
So the contest goes on and then ends. I went to go get a pic with Koby but he ran off toward the stage before I could get to him.
Not realizing what was going to go down, I bounced.
After being there and then watching the recording and some of the comments and then seeing this video …
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_hot_dog_contest
I’m 100% certain that this is a work.
I don’t want to assume who might be in on it besides Koby and the Shea’s, but TV producers have a way of getting people to say things a certain way, so I wouldn’t assume anyone would also be in on it… except maybe Joey.
I hope he’s not pulling a gimmick, but with the way the interviews sound and the way the ESPN sportscasters were wording things, Koby suddenly not wanting to play by MLE rules out of the blue, and then that AP video, which to me is the smoking gun on how fake this is, I have to think those 3 parties are in on it and setting up gimmick for next year.
I’m no conspiracy theorist, but I smell wrestling gimmick here…
Anonymous said
July 4, 2010 @ 9:08 pm
You might be right Will. If it was set up they certainly pulled it off big time, with me earnestly saying “Fuck You Chestnut!”
Anonymous said
July 4, 2010 @ 9:12 pm
Brian is Oz. He knows all!
Anonymous said
July 4, 2010 @ 9:15 pm
There is no gimmick to being handcuffed and taken to central booking. Very serious charges being made, charges which could mean Kobayashi could lose his visa and all opportunities in this country. He might not even be able to come in on a tourist visa if he has a police record. Very sad and ridiculous state of affairs over excessive nitrates. He was trying to make things better for all eaters even if he didn’t understand “how things work.”
gastroboy said
July 4, 2010 @ 9:23 pm
Will,
This whole thing is weird, it’s surreal. But i don’t see in what you wrote any reason as to consider it staged. From outside it looked like if Koby were just pointing at the cameras. BTW, who the hell would stage something that gives them such a bad image? It makes non-sense to me. Hope you’re not right!
gastroboy said
July 4, 2010 @ 9:30 pm
Btw, is this the actual gesture you were refering to will?
http://boston.3432.voxcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/kobayashi-480×255.jpg
gastroboy said
July 4, 2010 @ 10:21 pm
http://twitter.com/FreeKobayashi
Yeah, it looked like a joke to me at first, but… looks like it’s run by the team “free koby” WTF!?
They have photos like these, ones before the contest and others after the contest:
http://yfrog.com/jvhefj
http://yfrog.com/87ir1yj
http://yfrog.com/1xa8qj
http://yfrog.com/2mp99mjj
http://yfrog.com/fvkc0j @the 60th station
and the interview about being the gay mascot sounds real too. Weird, really weird, jet still not staged.
beautifulbrian said
July 4, 2010 @ 10:25 pm
Shofner , due to contrary belief i have my sources and they are pretty good ones. I dont post commentary on my site unless i know the source is pretty darn accurate. Lets just say i get my info from someone so close to the stage he could practically kiss it. Without taking sides the Sheas run a business. If you are a money earner they expect you to earn that money through MLE and nobody else . Kobe signed a contract . Matter of opinion whether the contract is fair or not but he signed it. I am not here to pass judgement but heres the deal with 13yrs under my belt. If you screw the Sheas and it doesnt matter if your name is Chestnut Janus, Shoudt Kobe you are a done deal . A non entity. Like the name Moses in the ten commandments your name is striken from the records. The twilight zone episode where the little kid wished the bad people into the cornfield for saying mean things . Well George Shea just wished Kobe into the cornfield . He no longer exists as far as MLE is concerned . Cold way of treating people but they look at it as take from us we take from you. I have remained with MLE all these years because i dont make demands and i keep my distance. I am not in the position to negotiate because i am not a money earner and they basically know what my role is . If i thought different i would have been long gone a long time ago. I wish Kobe the best in his future endeavors
beautifulbrian said
July 4, 2010 @ 10:34 pm
anony 9:15 brings up a good point lt is no joke getting arrested . Take if from someone that worked for the crininal justice system for a few years and spent a day in the slammer in TN for suspended license . Its no joke at all. You think this is a cop show? He now has a record He was handcuffed and finger printed and mug shot like anyone else that goes through central booking. Great way to start off by making this city your new home If he decides to remain here the authorities have the right to call him down in the future to appear in a lineup with other asian males accused of crimes. What it boils down to, his act of self righetous basically fu— himself in the rear end .
WHaaaat? said
July 4, 2010 @ 10:43 pm
No gimmick you ass. Once the cops cuff you it is as real as the nose on your face. Those were real police officers and not actors playing cops . Maybe you should have taken a ride down to central booking and get a dose of the real world and not NYPD blue
gastroboy said
July 4, 2010 @ 10:44 pm
Great way to tell if this is all staged or not. Is him really @central booking like FreeKobayashi twitter says? call: http://brooklyn.com/modules.php?name=Police
I’m not calling, i’m overseas.
fredrick rotanya said
July 4, 2010 @ 10:48 pm
I know the entire thing. Kobi was with his rallying best friends. . they were wearing “free kobi” tshirts, to free him from the contract that was going to take all of his independence to work from him. I spoke to his group about it. . there was nothing funny or fake about it at all – and these were very close people to him who know way more than anyone.
He came as a spectator and wanted fans to start cheering after the contest was over, so that he could say, “okay then. the contest is over.. i didn’t compete. since it’s all over now, i just want to prove i’m the champ now – so let me eat and i’ll show you.” since the crowd started cheering he wanted to have them get louder, and so he jumped on to the corner of the stage to get them louder. he didn’t mean for it to get like that. even the guards and security up to that point, were like, “hey kobi!!.. o”h over here..over here, assisting him all the way until he got to the stage –
that’s when somebody grabbed him. he never tried to curse Joey and he never tried to congratulate him. he just wanted for the fans to cheer so they could persuade nathan’s to let him eat. that’s all.
NOW, FREE KOBI for crying out loud.
Anonymous said
July 4, 2010 @ 11:38 pm
frederick rotanya’s description is very interesting. Time to thank oj again for keeping us informed.
Anonymous said
July 4, 2010 @ 11:49 pm
BigWillTheChamp at 8:46 said “I’m no conspiracy theorist, but I smell wrestling gimmick here…”
I wonder what The Hangman thinks. He has been in wrestling for a few years. Maybe the Sheas conferred with him and that is why some say it is like a wrestling gimmick.
BigWillTheChamp said (Registered February 1, 2009)
July 4, 2010 @ 11:53 pm
Ok, so Kobi starts a “Free Kobi” thing because of his contract and ironically gets arrested?
REALLY PEOPLE?!?!
And about getting arrested, he resisted, yes, but if MLE and Nathan’s didn’t want to press charges then he would be released.
@ Gastro, that’s exactly what I was talking about.
BigWillTheChamp said (Registered February 1, 2009)
July 4, 2010 @ 11:54 pm
@ Gastro, when he pointed at Janis he was being hoisted by his boy…
gastroboy said
July 4, 2010 @ 11:55 pm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/us_and_canada/10504627.stm
New footage:
Koby @0:18: let me eat!
Looks like fredrick got it right.
gastroboy said
July 5, 2010 @ 1:22 am
I still don’t get your point Will. How the hell would someone not only propose, but also agree to stay ‘x’ days at prison, being promised and believing in good faith he won’t be pressed any charges, knowing he is not a US citizen but a foreigner, that it could put his visa at risk… instead of just competing? how many cash has someone to offer you to accept that when you actually make a living speed-eating? how desesperate do you have to be? who wins what here? Yeah, it gets to the news, of course, but then what? it makes no sense. i would rather try first to fake a world record, and make say Ben Monson eat 100 hot dogs in ten minutes, instead of doing what would be, if it were actually a gimmick, not only the biggest gimmick in CE history, but it would surely make it to the top three of all time all sport’s wise. That’s from the sponsors and MLE prespective, from koby’s viewpoint, it’s just silly to agree on that! And that obviously, will backfire and make not worth it any media attention won yesterday.
What am i missing? is there anything lost in translation?
gastroboy said
July 5, 2010 @ 1:28 am
Forgive me for all the typos and grammar mistakes i’m making whiles i type, say jet instead of yet, many instead of much and so on… It gets me mad when someone makes those mistakes when i’m talking in my mother language, so i hope you forgive me on that!
Anonymous said
July 5, 2010 @ 2:08 am
if Oscar Meyer were smart they would start there own league and have a even better 4th of July event
Dave said
July 5, 2010 @ 2:26 am
Without real competition, does Chestnut really consider it a win? Well, without Kobi who will watch next year?–NOONE.
Dave said
July 5, 2010 @ 2:55 am
Joey Chipwood won, right?
Well a tradition has ended, how sad. Noone will watch next year, why would anyone bother? I hope IFOCE management has a few bottles of Pepto leftover for themselves. Without Kobi the entire charade is a pathetic joke. How pathetic.
David Johansen said (Registered August 21, 2007)
July 5, 2010 @ 3:33 am
Joey Chipwood won, right?
Well a tradition has ended, how sad. Noone will watch next year, why would anyone bother? I hope IFOCE management has a few bottles of Pepto leftover for themselves. Without Kobi the entire charade is a pathetic joke. How pathetic.
Mark said
July 5, 2010 @ 7:37 am
It’s hilarious watching the pre-match ESPN video on their site where Chestnut figures he’ll go 70 and he ends up doing 54.
And then in Time magazine this: “One of which is 43 year old Bob Shoudt of Philadelphia, who speculates that Kobayashi left the competition in fear of coming in third place for the first time, behind himself in first and Chestnut in second.” Shoult ate 34.
And then in Salon, Shea and company: “The No. 2 eater right now is Bob Shoudt [who has beaten Chestnut in rib, grits and spaghetti competitions]. Then there’s Patrick Bertoletti and Tim Janus [“Eater X”]. Those three will all be in the 50s.” Ha ha ha! They did 34, 37, 45. And this: “Ben Monson is a rookie a lot of people are looking at this year…. He’s really beaten the who’s who in less than a year of eating.” He ended up with 27.
Total joke of an event.
Mega Munch said
July 5, 2010 @ 8:34 am
Hoax? Maybe. It wouldn’t surprise me, but I don’t think so in this case. I don’t think you’d be able to get that level of police involvement if it were a hoax. The NYPD aren’t actors and those weren’t actors playing NYPD officers. Although I do agree, Will, that the “Free Koby” shirts take on a whole new sad irony now. (more irony, in the video of Koby being yanked off the stage, you can hear George Shea imploring the crowd to “check out the freak show”…on Coney Island)
On to Kobys motives for “storming” the stage. BB’s kiss the stage guy claims Koby wanted to get up there and chew Joey out. Fredrick Tontoya commenting earlier claims Koby wanted to get the crowd pumped up so he could go on stage and perform a post-contest eating display of his own and one-up Joey. First of all, if Fredrick is right, that would have been FREAKIN AWESOME! Unfortunately, there’s no way that would have ever happened. The event is too organized to allow a random stunt like that and Papa Shea would have never allowed it.
The saddest thing of all was that neither of the Sheas at any point bothered to rush to Kobys defense by telling the cops “it’s okay, he’s cool.” They never even tried to call off the dogs to save the man who f&&cking built the IFOCEMLE into what it is today.
anonymous said
July 5, 2010 @ 9:01 am
all i can say is he is very lucky got arrested here and not in Japan. The prison guards in Japan stare at you with cigarette ashes dangling from their cigarette along with a sinister smile throw away the key and let you rot in a cell until they feel like letting you out. Paul Mccartney was treated like an animal when he was arrested in Japan for possesion of marajuana in 1980
Steakbellie said (Registered August 11, 2006)
July 5, 2010 @ 10:22 am
BOYS & GIRLS, lets remember that what pays for our beloved MLE contests is the Sheas ability to get ‘Media Impressions’ for the client. The speculation that Koby would not compete and then getting arrested ONSTAGE has brought this contest into the forefront of the American mind for a few minutes this weekend. This is one of the top news storys today and worth more than MILLIONS of dollars in advertising to Nathans and Pepto. More valuable and memorable than a Super Bowl Commercial.
I was away from the table this 4th but as soon as I saw the headline this morning my first thought was that it might be scripted. I’m glad to see Big Will’s observations as well.
I really do believe that Koby has a contract issue, but what I am pointing out that there are ways to present and spin this information that benefits everyone involved including Koby. Interest and speculation are now focussed on the next contest and on next years Nathans. Will he show? Will he compete?
The fact that their is a ‘CONTRACT DISPUTE’ in the news legitimizes the sport of eating. We hear all the time about other athletes having similar issues with their leagues and teams. I know it’s done with a wink and I can still see the humor, but the fact that we can say it with a straight face is what makes it so funny.
Scripted or not this is a GOLDMINE for MLE and dont be so foolish that money cant solve it in time for the next big event. Until then there will be 100,000 blog posts, local articles, Late Night TV monologue jokes, YouTube Parodies, serious articles and angry rants.
We sell spectacle and business is good.
anonymous said
July 5, 2010 @ 10:51 am
after 5yrs of scanning through comments i have put together my 10 best non illiterate eaters of the decade.To be considered you need to have excellent grammar skills, little if any typo errors well written emails . Here is the list not in any particular order
1. Eric Booker
2. Steakbellie
3. Crazy Legs
4. Tim Janus
5. Charles Hardy
6.Dave Goldstein
7. Erik Denmark
8, Pat Philbin
9. Dave O’Karma
10.Sonya Thomas or the ghost writer for her site
Anonymous said
July 5, 2010 @ 11:22 am
Steakbellie may be correct except for a few things of major importance, at least for Kobayashi. Kobayashi has been in jail overnight and has several extremely serious charges pending. They are not only from MLE but from the police. Before this spectacle, he had a visa for three years which he got completely on his own. And having not signed an MLE exclusive, he had the complete right to sign with anyone for any commercial or other event. Now he is in jail with an uncertain future. He doesn’t speak English, but he understood enough not to sign something he did not want. If the Sheas profit and benefit from this and Kobayashi is done……….I’ll let each person fill in the blank.
Anonymous said
July 5, 2010 @ 11:27 am
anonymous said
July 5, 2010 @ 10:51 am
after 5yrs of scanning through comments i have put together my 10 best non illiterate eaters of the decade.To be considered you need to have excellent grammar skills, little if any typo errors well written emails . Here is the list not in any particular order
After five years of scanning through comments, I have put together my ten best non-illiterate eaters of the decade. To be considered you needed to have had excellent grammar skills, have made few if any typographical errors, and posted well written e-mails. Here is my list in no particular order.
anonymous said
July 5, 2010 @ 11:41 am
You have to wonder if trial is set when George shea shows up to press charges with his attorney will the judge be munching on some nathans hotdogs while they sort through the evidence or will they go to recess
Mega Munch said
July 5, 2010 @ 12:42 pm
Agree Steak, the attention is great for MLE, Nathan’s and sponsors, but at what cost? Is HOW they got the attention right or wrong?
By the way, I’m with you on the contract dispute thing. Whenever I hear the mainstream media talking about Koby’s “contract dispute”, I think it’s awesome how it legitimizes the sport. I also disagree with the commenters who lament that the MLE is “selling out” with all the Pepto placement at the event. I thought it was great when Joey held the bottle of Pepto immediately after his win. Sort of like the NASCAR guys swigging a bottle of Gatorade or Coca-Cola after a win. It’s obvious that it’s a sponsor placement, but it’s another example of legitimizing CE.
ooh said
July 5, 2010 @ 1:42 pm
Assuming rankings change this week the top d will be::
Joey
Tim
Pat
Bob
Sonya
the artist formerly known as "my stalker" said
July 5, 2010 @ 2:30 pm
I was walking alongside Kobe & cannot fathom how I could’ve missed something as large as Will The Blimp.He probably turned tail & ran when all hell broke loose.I have videos at http://www.youtube.com/muzixan if you want to see spontaneous fun instead of some poorly staged sideshow.
Anonymous said
July 5, 2010 @ 3:23 pm
Okay guys, lets clear up WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENED before we start claiming that this was all some crazy evil scheme or other such silliness.
Kobi showed up to Coney Island earlier in the day with a one or two friends and his translator Maggie James (the woman who says “There’s a contract dispute, so they weren’t giving him his freedom” in one of the videos as he’s being restrained). He seemed to be having a good time, posing for pictures and shaking hands with fans.
After the last of the eaters were introduced Kobi popped up in the crowd on the shoulders of one of his friends in the ‘Free Kobi’ shirts. He made a lap around the front of the crowd being followed by Rick the Manager holing up his Joey ESPN sign. Kobi got down when the contest started and seemed to watch the contest with the rest of the crowd.
Here’s where the stories start getting crazy, but this is what I know I saw. As George was wrapping up the broadcast, Kobi jumped up to the stairs on the left of the stage where the eaters ran up before getting on the walkway to the stage. There were three NYPD officers as well as two security personnel preventing random people from getting onto the stage/Nathans kitchen area. The NYPD officers immediately recognized Kobi and shook his hand and told it it was a shame he didn’t complete. He shook their hands and nodded back. He then tried to walk up the stairs. One of the cops initially tried to block his way and there seemed to be some confusion between the cops. Eventually one of the cops said, (and it was loud so I’m unsure if I heard correctly) “It’s okay, he’s cool” Kobi then bounded up the stairs.
Once at the top of the stairs Kobi paced back and forth a little bit on the left edge of the walkway. To my right I saw Maggie James run up to the cops with two large thermoses and try to get past them up the stairs. They cops wouldn’t let her by and she began yelling (and it was loud so I’m unsure if I heard correctly) “I need to get him these” or “I need to get these to him.” One of the cops said something to the effect of “no way”
I turned to see Kobi towards the right end of the walkway almost on the stage. A guy in a Nathans seemed to put up his hands pantomiming “stop”. (I think everything from this point on can be seen on video, but this is what I saw) Then one of the cops on the stage blocked Kobis way and Kobi seemed to grab the railing tightly with both hands. One cop then tried to pry his hands of the railing and another pull him back from the stage. When he wouldn’t let go another cop grabbed him around the neck. Then more cops ran up the stairs and they pulled him down.
Once down the stairs the cops tried to wrestle Kobis arms behind his back, but he continued to resist. Then they wrestled him to behind the tent with the Heinz bottle in front of it where they eventually handcuffed him.
Of course this all my subjective analysis, but it appears like MegaMunch said, Kobayashi wanted to do his own unscripted eating contest (I think the two thermoses kinda proves that).
I love Kobi, but this was a really bad decision by a good guy. He’s not stupid, but I’m having trouble understanding exactly what he thought was going to happen here(the ‘free kobi’ shirts make me wonder if he did though).
If this is all about pride here’s all Kobi had to do. Get Mrs. James to make phone calls to all the major news outlets immediately after the contest and say tomorrow at noon Kobi will break joeys puny 54 and prove he’s the best. Then have an exhibition demonstration where Kobi eats as many as he can, which I’m sure is more than 54. Kobi comes out looking like the champ, Joey’s ‘real man’ comment seems even more petty and more pressure will be placed on MLE/Nathans to get his butt at the table next year.
As it stands Kobi’s facing a trial that cold threaten his visa and his future with the MLE is cloudy at best but more likely over.
Its a sad situation for the community of CE but as Steakbellie said its a freaking publicity gold mine.
Thanks for you time, hopefully reasonable heads will prevail here and Kobi will not be charged and everyone moves on with their lives.
all wrong said
July 5, 2010 @ 3:40 pm
Not a freakin publicity gold mine you idiot This is real life . You have any idea what it is like being arrested? Bottom line is that you can kiss MLE goodbye because Kobe will fight back and bring them down with the worst publicity you can imagine. Publicity gold mine you say? It will end up causing many a legal headache for the sheas
BigWillTheChamp said (Registered February 1, 2009)
July 5, 2010 @ 4:05 pm
@ Gastro, he didn’t get put in prison, he got put in jail. There is a difference.
Jail is no picnic, but because of his celebrity status, I would assume they would keep him out of general population.
Let me throw this out there guys. Why this year?
Why does Koby suddenly have a contract issue this year?
He’s been doing this for 9 years and suddenly it’s a problem.
Why in the same year that MLE get’s a nifty contract with new sponsors that are paying them millions upon millions, where they could afford to throw the same amount of money, if not more, at Koby to spend a night in jail?
I guarantee you’ll be seeing Koby back next year, while popping up at events in the audience between then and now. Possibly pulling more stunts like this and then on the big stage next year while the whole angle is being played up.
Wouldn’t be surprised if it was build up to Krystals, but I think next years Nathan’s is more likely.
BigWillTheChamp said (Registered February 1, 2009)
July 5, 2010 @ 4:06 pm
I meant to say
“throw the same amount of money as Joey for his win, if not more, at Koby to spend a night in jail?”
Anonymous said
July 5, 2010 @ 4:26 pm
Joey’s puny 54… Please. This is all so stupid. Joey would have eaten 70+ if Koby was up there next to him. Kobayashi eating 54 1/2 dogs the next day in a studio under different and relaxed conditions means absolutely nothing. If Kobayashi was successful in his attempt to get up on the stage and ate 55 a minute and a half later it would have meant nothing. He, like every other eater, needs to play by the rules, sign the contract and compete head to head like everyone else. He may or may not have been able to beat Joey; they’re always neck and neck – but who really cares? He gambled, he lost, and his ego was hurt. Grow up.
Beyond that – what is with the freedom garbage on here? Everyone wants the Shea’s to give Koby his freedom. W. T. F ??? What does that mean? He eats hot dogs and hamburgers for money. He competes. Thats all. They have not imprisoned him in any way that I am aware of. It’s a piece of paper that serves two purposes. It protects the Shea’s business from being cut into (I know – that hurts half the people on here. God Forbid they have a profitable BUSINESS). But from an eater’s standpoint, you are signing a contract basically asking permission to participate in their business and play by their rules. Thats life. Plain and simple. If you don’t like it, don’t sign. It’s not a big deal. If you want to be on ESPN, and achieve equal levels of fame in the smaller leagues, perhaps find some people to identify sponsors and get contracts with them for larger contests. For God’s sake – everyone on this forum sounds like eating in Nathan’s or Krystal is a God given right that the She’s have stripped from them.
Anonymous said
July 5, 2010 @ 4:54 pm
Too bad anonymous 3:23 was not one of Kobayashi’s publicists. One question. How did he get to be able to make a lap in front of the crowd with Rick the Manager after the eaters had been introduced. That means to me that he was allowed to be in that area?
A-Bomb said (Registered May 7, 2009)
July 5, 2010 @ 5:12 pm
I think all the Kobe b.s. is a way to cover up for the vapid things Conti did in California and how the Sheas pretty much endorsed everything he did to cheat his way into the finals. The Sheas do not want Nathan’s to drop them so they are diverting attention.
Mega Munch said
July 5, 2010 @ 6:38 pm
The translator trying desperately to get Koby’s thermoses to him after he got on stage tells me that his arrest is not a publicity stunt. If it were a stunt and he was just supposed to get on stage and then get “arrested” there would be no need for the thermoses.
It may not be the end of the MLE, but it is the sad end of an era and a sad end to Koby’s legendary career. It’s on par with Pete Rose going out by getting banned for gambling or, going further back in time, Shoeless Joe Jackson getting banned from baseball for throwing the World Series in ’19.
Unionize now! said
July 5, 2010 @ 7:11 pm
Bob Shoudt: “It will be a big loss if he’s (Kobayashi) not here.”
Pat Bertoletti: “Without Kobayashi there is no Nathans.”
These two quotes were spoken by these two eaters prior to yesterday’s contest during the ESPN broadcast of the contest.
If these two eaters had their best interests and the interests of all of the eaters at heart, they would join with Kobayashi in not signing the contract. MLE gets paid appx. $10,000 to run a contest, and what do the eaters get? Does MLE really do anywhere near $10,000 worth of work for their sponsors other than maybe Nathans and Krystals who most likely pay MLE much more. Of that $10,000 NONE of it goes to the eaters, in fact the sponsor still must come up with the prize money on top of the $10,000 they pay MLE. Almost everyone who competes except the top 10 eaters haven’t made $10,000 in their entire eating careers, and MLE makes more than that from one contest. Before he became the champion Chestnut was a proponent of organizing and standing up for the rights of all eaters, but sadly now that he gets all the money, he too could care less about the lower ranked eaters. It’s time the eaters stand up, all of them and demand money for each eater who is entered in a contest, even if it’s just $100. It’s time maybe for the eaters to organize and unionize, as crazy as that sounds it’s the only way things will ever improve. Kobayashi was the trailblazer in eating by doubling the world record, and he is now the trailblazer in contract negotiations/acquiring rights for all eaters. Congratulations to Kobayashi for standing up when everyone else was silent.
gastroboy said
July 5, 2010 @ 7:56 pm
Thanks for the extra explanation Will. Still don’t believe that’s the case though. If oddly enough, it’s all staged, it has been pulled out pretty well. As i said, top 3 gimmick of all time so far eassily.
gastroboy said
July 5, 2010 @ 8:01 pm
July 3 koby’s blog entry, while supposedly also staged, it’s really worth reading.
anonymous said
July 5, 2010 @ 8:31 pm
Unionize now he stood up because it was about him and nobody else.Do you think he would stick up for anyone else like the rest of the MLE soldiers that never take a stand for their fellow eaters ? No way . You lost me when was chestnut a proponent of organizing and standing up for rights of all eaters? The last eater to take that objective was Beautiful brian . He even put together a state of the union speech on video in 2006 proposing changes in the current system
anonymous said
July 5, 2010 @ 8:58 pm
Gastro where are you getting your info from ? Were you there? George Shea was dead serious while conversating with the police captain after Kobe arrest. This is no joke no gimmick . Now shutup and stop spreading assinine rumors
BigWillTheChamp said (Registered February 1, 2009)
July 5, 2010 @ 9:13 pm
New video of his release from jail.
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/kobayashi_released_from_jail_yxYXa2udq2emvq7y3ME3aO
*sigh* Let’s all open our eyes all together…
Takeru Kobayashi said
July 5, 2010 @ 9:33 pm
Takeru Kobayashi is in talks with WLOCE. They are willing to give him freedom he wants. Wait for updates
anonymous said
July 5, 2010 @ 9:42 pm
He says he wanted some hot dogs in jail . Where the hell was Hardy when we need him.
agent 333 said
July 5, 2010 @ 10:22 pm
Boone, Kobe eating with you guys or aice is like Lebron signing with the Nets . Try another free agent that is less marketable
WyattEarp said
July 5, 2010 @ 11:38 pm
Kobayashi is a simple jerk. “So I jumped onto the stage to prove that I am still the champ, but I was arrested.” That punk hasn’t been a champ in four years. Five years if you consider is first reversal at Nathan.
Anonymous said
July 6, 2010 @ 12:17 am
George Shea talks about Why Kobi could not eat in an interview today July 5, 2010:
http://www.nypost.com/video/?vxSiteId=0db7b365-a288-4708-857b-8bdb545cbd0f&vxChannel=PostUsFeed&vxClipId=1458_986456&vxBitrate=700
NReda said
July 6, 2010 @ 2:47 am
This story – and people’s reactions to it – is really getting wild. I guess we’ll soon see if CE more closely resembles WWE or a legitimate sport.
anonymous said
July 6, 2010 @ 6:04 am
I agree Something peculiar about all three of them Juliet Sonya and Kobe . If it was anyone but Kobayashi that got arrested they would not make such a big deal
anonymous said
July 6, 2010 @ 6:40 am
George Shea quoted as saying ” I dont know what his though process was getting on stage. He was a great champ” George you just had the man arrested . Make up your mind
Rhonda Evans said (Registered March 6, 2008)
July 6, 2010 @ 8:27 am
Koby has his freedom. His theme is all wrong.
I’m sorry for this situation. I understand the IFOCE, and I actually applaud them for their stance as a business, overall. What saddens me is that given what Kobayashi has done for competitive eating he should have a lifetime bye and pass to eat at Nathan’s. But then again, that hurts people who sign and abide by the IFOCE contract. This is a tough situation for the IFOCE.
On the surface it looks as if Koby used very poor judgment moving to the US without thinking through IFOCE contractual issues. However, in 1 day Takeru has received more publicity than all other competitive eaters have cumulatively in the past year.
As the most recognized person in CE (The announcer didn’t even know Joey’s name!), the greatest eater who ever lived, and arguably still the world’s best eater (with a charismatic personality to boot), Koby may well divert lots of potential profits from would-be and past IFOCE sponsors. That may be an enormous opportunity cost for the IFOCE to incur!
It may well be in the IFOCE’s interest to work with Koby, even if they had to alter the terms of his contract. (In the solar system of competitive eating, Koby is the sun!) Though not doing so would not be fatal for the IFOCE, as they still have recognized eaters/personalities in Joey, X, Legs, Sonya, Pretty Boy, and others, it would be costly, which would hurt the eaters more than the Fed.
The situation is going to get very, very interesting come time for Krystals.
On a final note, had Koby been on stage Sunday, he might have won, but that’s only conjecture. However, given Koby’s fitness, the heat would not have bothered him as much as it did the “world’s top two” eaters, whose less than optimal physical conditioning took its toll.
Koby’s athletic, like Tim.
Rhonda Evans said (Registered March 6, 2008)
July 6, 2010 @ 8:28 am
Wyatt you and Joey are cut from the same ignorant cloth.
Anonymous said
July 6, 2010 @ 10:32 am
Having Tim Janus’s dad be Legs officiall judge was briliiant. Cant imagine why there were no deductions. The one picture Daddy X isnt even lookin at the table.
gastroboy said
July 6, 2010 @ 11:45 am
Anonymous @ 8:58 pm
I think i have been clear enough. i think this is not a gimmick
Will
At least where i live, unless you’ve commited a serious crime, you’re free next day. Then, later on, you’re judged, and Koby will still be judged 5th August. Doesn’t open my eyes at all. If that’s ‘weird’ in US, i dunno, but i think it’s not.
nunonabun2 said (Registered November 10, 2009)
July 6, 2010 @ 12:43 pm
I once saw Stone Cold Steve Austin get arrest on tv. Sure this could all be a really screwed up situation but we will see.
Anonymous said
July 6, 2010 @ 12:47 pm
Anonymous said
July 6, 2010 @ 12:17 am
George Shea talks about Why Kobi could not eat in an interview today July 5, 2010:
http://www.nypost.com/video/?vxSiteId=0db7b365-a288-4708-857b-8bdb545cbd0f&vxChannel=PostUsFeed&vxClipId=1458_986456&vxBitrate=700
Wow…….from headquarters……recheck my ears. The top eaters are making north of $!50,000 a year and did he not leave the door open for Koby? Thanks anonymous.
nunonabun2 said (Registered November 10, 2009)
July 6, 2010 @ 1:13 pm
Maybe Kob is going to start his own eating federation.
Mega Munch said
July 6, 2010 @ 1:23 pm
Koby could try to start his own league, but without the support of a smart PR and marketing team, no league can rival the MLE. That’s what the Shea’s provide — business acumen, marketing prowess, and the ability to negotiate contracts with sponsors. Those are key ingredients to any competitive eating league. The actual eaters rank a distant fourth.
Anonymous said
July 6, 2010 @ 1:29 pm
Enough of this Koby crap. The real question is who the hell invited Hal Schimmel to the after party?
Koby fan said
July 6, 2010 @ 2:47 pm
If Koby starts his own league and brings on his smokin’ hot publicist, I’m in…
gavonne said
July 6, 2010 @ 3:06 pm
Many of you say how serious & horrible it is being arrested & I know that more than any other eater, but when you pull a stunt like that you know you’re getting out the next day-it’s like running on the field at the ballpark-he calculated the risk & it was well worth it for the publicity he garnered from it.As I was walking next to him while he was cuffed I got a strong vibe from him that it was staged.I’m only sorry I didn’t say anything to him(I don’t know if he would have understood me anyway.)
Rhonda Evans said (Registered March 6, 2008)
July 6, 2010 @ 3:56 pm
Though I’ve posted a lot, I’d sure like to know what Koby’s true intentions are here. Perhaps his manager/interpreter has put some ideas into his head. Women can do that, ya know.
If that’s the case, I hope he’s not sorry for listening. I do believe it cut him to the quick not to be allowed to eat at Coney. If he had a bit too lofty an ego, that act sure brought him back down to earth.
I hope he makes decisions he can live with, regardless. Koby’s a good “kid” at heart—-a very, very decent human being. I know, I know; now I sound like Legs’ mom.
Gentleman Joe said (Registered December 8, 2005)
July 6, 2010 @ 4:12 pm
My guess is that Kobi had never been arrested before.
No one who hasn’t been arrested before, is going to basically volunteer to get arrested, spend a night in jail, & jeopardize their status in this country, for a “work”.
Rhonda, I think I missed your comments on the CLC episode in Cali. Got anything for us on that??
Anonymous said
July 6, 2010 @ 6:23 pm
She did speak on that. Go to that subject.
anonymous said
July 6, 2010 @ 7:21 pm
It’s how you conduct yourself when arrested that plays a huge part as to how much mental torture or maybe physical torture you will endure at central booking . and if you resist arrest it can be even worse. I dont think it was staged . Those dudes were real cops and real cops that stage a phoney arrest risk suspension or possible removal from the police force. People get arrested most of the time because they broke the law and they know they broke the law . Then they want to punk out and cry police brutality not fair .. Its called being responsible for your own actions and if you didnt put yourself in that position in the first place you wouldnt have the problem
Real eater said
July 6, 2010 @ 7:45 pm
Rhonda (or whatever your real name is), Were you even there? I was. Are you ever at any events? Any qualifiers? I’ve met Kobayashi and he is great, but what gives you any credibility to speak about him? What gives you any credibility to speak about any of us? Do you know any of the eaters face to face? I have asked many eaters about you and no one has ever met you. If you are so interested in competitive eating, how come you have never come up to say hello?
anonymous said
July 6, 2010 @ 9:04 pm
Kobe is lucky he lives in the United States. I just read that an Iranian woman is going to be stoned to death buried up to her neck while they stone her in the head until she is dead. All this for being convicted of adultery. Can you imagine what they would have done to him for crashing the stage if he lived in a foreign country ?
anonymous said
July 6, 2010 @ 9:50 pm
Real eater, Rhonda Evans is not a real person. It is someone involved in the sport be it an eater or someone indirectly involved with MLE. This back and forth bullcrap as to the identity of Rhonda Evans has been going on the past 4 or 5yrs. He or she slowly made themselve a fixture in this blog leaving short indiscreet comments which eventually led to half page and on occasion full page replies. Rhonda Evans is no dummy as you can tell by her brilliant writing skills. There are a few that possess that talent within the realm of MLE. When you confront her about her identity she finds every which way to avoid or change the subject. Not once and i repeat not once has she ever came out “OK meet me at so and so contest Im wearing the red dress or the red hat ” She enjoys debating back and forth on this blog M+F never on weekends. Strange that she knows everyone and everything about competitive eating including MLE aice & wloce
Anonymous said
July 6, 2010 @ 9:51 pm
Real eater try not to pat yopurself on the back too hard. Fact is you are no better than Rhonda, Rona, Wyatt, Agent 33, Inspector Noodle, or anyone else. At least Rhonda uses a real name and seems to post by that name exclusively. What’s she or anyone else supposed to do, go to an event and run from eater to eater asking if you’re the one who posted as real eater? That’s like finding a $100 bill and asking everyone who walks by if he dropped it? Get real.
The end of competitive eating said
July 6, 2010 @ 11:16 pm
This is over. Crazy Legs cheats to get an IFOCE spot. Kobayashi gets “ruled out”. Joey doesn’t get anywhere near his record, nor do any other contestants get even near their qualifier totals. The Shea’s IFOCE is now officially as stupid as Dale Boone’s “Whatever his organization is called”. The Sheas should resign from ruling IFOCE. They KILL competitive eating. Rich, you only care about filling your own pockets. You don’t care about anything else. Please RESIGN. You SUCK. Let someone take over who cares about competitive eating.
The Sheas should resign NOW.
Anonymous said
July 7, 2010 @ 12:10 am
Lots of the non-ce public think this was a MLE publicity stunt. If it was the cameras would have been on Kobi and it would have been broadcast live. As to product placement, of course Joey grabbed the Pepto at every opportunity. This has to be the only sport where the winner doesn’t yell “I’m going to Disneyworld”. It’s that more odd since Disney ownes ESPN
Anonymous said
July 7, 2010 @ 1:28 am
National Eating Alliance – NEA sounds pretty good for a name to me
Ron Koch said
July 7, 2010 @ 1:43 am
Are you kidding? If not for the Sheas there would not be an eat feats for you to rant and rave. There would not be qualifiers for the contests.The Sheas do not control the eaters who cheat.To me the SHEAS ARE GOOD PEOPLE period..Its the eaters who need to patrol there area and report to the judge as soon as the contest is over, not allowing any winners to be declaired until inconsistoncies are claired up…To wait after the contest does nothing…Blame yourselves not the Sheas
WyattEarp said (Registered November 4, 2006)
July 7, 2010 @ 3:19 am
I’m just glad the Nathan’s contest is over. There’s no competition, with or without the Japanese guy. At least in Krystals and everything else, Pat and Joey go head to head.
SPBBBBMBBB said
July 7, 2010 @ 9:18 am
I’d like to see the ESPN broadcast show highlights of all the qualifiers – 20 seconds a piece would be cool, and give exposure to all the people who just missed. It would also help promote the next year’s qualifiers. Couldn’t you just see it? “In Arizona, Crazy Legs Conti just edged out a win over Adrian Morgan in a controversial finish….meanwhile in Charlotte, Pat Bertoletti breezed to victory, his only battle…was boredom”
nunonabun2 said (Registered November 10, 2009)
July 7, 2010 @ 10:00 am
Well at least there is always Krystals to get beat at soon.
Rhonda Evans said (Registered March 6, 2008)
July 7, 2010 @ 10:02 am
I too believe the Sheas are good people who mean well. They work hard running the business of competitive eating. Yes, like you, me, and everyone else on this blog, they make mistakes, and sometimes err in judgment. Being at the top of the first, and only real, competitive eating organization makes them easy targets of blame, and their errors and mistakes get both exaggerated and amplified.
But without the brothers Shea, there’d be no competitive eating as we know it today, and it’s reciprocal gratitude they and top eaters owe each other. Whatever money they make is deserved. They’re the entrepreneural risk-takers. If you like the contract sign. If not, don’t. It’s a free country and now even Koby is free.
Like Ron alluded to, it’s easy to bitch and moan (and I’ll admit I’ve done my share of it). The harder, more classy thing to do is offer up suggestions of things that need correcting, and help keep fellow eaters in line by speaking out —- at the time of the infraction, with proof/witnesses to back it up.
Bitching about what you perceive in a video or what you think might be true, based on rumors, heresay, and opinion just causes trouble, and nothing constructive comes from it.
Rhonda Evans said (Registered March 6, 2008)
July 7, 2010 @ 10:06 am
Oh … End of CE, you’re with the severe chest wound descriptor. (I forgot to say that.)
realist said
July 7, 2010 @ 10:13 am
I can tell you one thing , there are some cheap fucks in MLE. Some top name eaters never give a dime to charity but they talk about how sad Katrina Haiti and Tsumai was . Talk is cheap. Send in the dollars you make enough at the contests so do it .
Anonymous said
July 7, 2010 @ 10:33 am
It would seem that fact might become stranger than fiction. The press will get down to details that Kobi was willing to eat for free, that what he was doing was trying to understand and stand up for himself and all eaters even if his actions were muddled. The Sheas may be called to verify their figures for their eaters. Joey cannot keep his foot from his mouth except when eating and brags about $200,000 a year and Pepto appearances. The IRS might become interested when IFOCE says the top earn north of………and who might be those top? in the end all of this hoopla may benefit all eaters, all contests, all organizations. Kobayashi broke the dam of competitive eating in more ways than one. And the Sheas will have to think very carefully about their future relationship with Kobayashi. It is in their interest to do so.
Gentleman Joe said (Registered December 8, 2005)
July 7, 2010 @ 11:07 am
Didn’t Joey donate the entire purse for a rib eating victory a few yrs back?? Which I believe was $2,500.
Anonymous said
July 7, 2010 @ 11:15 am
realist must be a liberal. He’s very generous…with other people’s money.
anonymous said
July 7, 2010 @ 11:20 am
what they need to do is whip out the books so the world will know how much the Shea brothers profited from competitive eating and nathans
Cheap ... Really? said
July 7, 2010 @ 1:12 pm
Sonya’s eating for children’s charity next week. Realist, get your fact straight before you go accusing others, many who Kobi considers friends, of things you know nothing about. I hope these negative comments aren’t coming from Kobi’s so called “publicist” and “Team Kobi” who know nothing about competitive eating, except how to get one of the most loved people in CE into hot water with law, tar his good image, and make him look so very small in general public opinion. Kobi, if you think your buddies have done you any favors, just reflect back to the events that have transpired over this last week and get rid of those jokers and jock sniffers. Kobi do yourself a favor and and go back to listening to your own instincts. It’s those instincts that created one of the most storied rises in CE history.
SPBBBBMBBB said
July 7, 2010 @ 1:20 pm
I don’t care how much the Shea’s make…it was their idea. I would, however, like to see more compensation for travel, expenses occured in doing promo work (TV appearances, etc) for all eaters. At least get us a free hotel night, like the Isle of Capri in Biloxi gave us…that was cool!
By the way, MLE, if you’re reading this, you still owe me gas money for my Charlotte, NC TV appearance – and don’t make it for a BP station
nunonabun2 said (Registered November 10, 2009)
July 7, 2010 @ 1:59 pm
Sonya is eating children not for them.
Mega Munch said
July 7, 2010 @ 2:45 pm
It’s true. I saw her eat a Kindergartner once when he wandered too close to the table during a wing contest. She still won by two dozen wings.
anonymous said
July 7, 2010 @ 3:31 pm
Paul you just contradicted your own answer accusing MLE of doing what they have been doing to others for years without a care in the world . Refer to the last line of your 1:20pm statement which sums it up in a nutshell
Anonymous said
July 7, 2010 @ 4:58 pm
http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB118843320867112922.html
I do not believe it said
July 7, 2010 @ 7:49 pm
You gots to be jivin me . I I cant believe the great kobayashi was given a friends and family pass which is the lowest grad pass to watch the contest. Like offering him bleacher seats in Yankee Stadium Those are the kind of passes they give to Hal Shimmel and Phil Lipper. Matter of fact they gave the same pass to Hal Schimmel last Sunday. If you were to predict last year that the great Kobe would not only be absent from the 2010 contest but as a spectator with a friends and family pass yet , i would suggest you see a shrink asap. . If im not mistaken they offered that same pass to Brian Seiken in 2007 but he told me he sold it to a kid for $10 took the subway home and watched it on television
Husband and wife? Or maybe even the same person? said
July 7, 2010 @ 8:15 pm
I’m guessing “OJ Rifkin” and “Rhonda Evans” are one and the same person, or maybe husband and wife, or maybe some “other” couple. That would explain a LOT.
Anonymous said
July 7, 2010 @ 9:11 pm
I think you nailed Rhonda’s id. I never thought about that but it makes perfect sense.
NReda said
July 7, 2010 @ 10:01 pm
2010 has been a hell of a year (so far!) for the CE scene!
The straw hat said
July 8, 2010 @ 7:29 am
Cheap really? Did anyone mention Sonya? You must be feeling guilty Maybe i am or was Mr Kobayashi publicist . All i can say is some top eaters need to give back to the community the money they have made in contest earnings. MLE always gives i think you know that by now
Mega Munch said
July 8, 2010 @ 8:52 am
I have it on good authority (we’ll just leave it at that), that OJ and Rhonda are NOT the same person and, in fact, have never met in real life. They’re just two very passionate members of competitive eating community.
Rhonda Evans said (Registered March 6, 2008)
July 8, 2010 @ 10:07 am
OJ’s a good guy and all, but he’s not my type.
Anonymous said
July 8, 2010 @ 10:30 am
Rhonda Evans, the Good Humor Woman, may she reign for 1000 years.
80% ofr these posts said
July 10, 2010 @ 6:05 am
Most of all the posts here come fom One individual.Its a footprint of A Bomb.Now stop it you frigin pest.Read the times of the posts.Do you think we appreciate how you mess up this site .
A BOMB stop your stinkin childish crap
Tom said
July 12, 2010 @ 4:28 pm
WoW the posts have stopped .Looks like ABomb was the culprit
A-Bomb said (Registered May 7, 2009)
July 12, 2010 @ 9:40 pm
Ummm, yeah let’s go with no.
John said
July 13, 2010 @ 8:20 am
A Bomb you are as guilty as hell.
The thread times speak for themselves.You are as kindergarden as they come.
Mega Munch said
July 13, 2010 @ 10:21 am
C’mon, A-Bomb is AT LEAST first grade. Maybe second. Wait, we’re talking about his eating ability, right?
(Zing! Gotcha bro.)
Henry jones said
July 13, 2010 @ 10:42 am
I wonder if its A-bomb thats been posting negative remarks about Butiful brian all this time
beautifulbrian said
July 13, 2010 @ 10:56 am
A-Bomb if by chance it is you that has been making those snide remarks about my character all this time i feel very sorry for you. If not then ignore what i am about to say. First off you live way out in Colorado rocky mountain high so the chances of us ever crossing paths are slim and none. With that said there is no reason why you would not post under your true identity . To the person or persons that has taken it upon his or herself to belittle me on this site time and time again, you are nothing but a pathetic piece of sh— lowlife that hides behind a PC posting as anonymous. If you had any balls you would reveal your f— name so we could settle this once and for all. But that will never happen. Instead “pay no attention to Brian” “Brian is like a stray cat” “His website is pathetic” I realize that you are not well but what is your motive ? Hate motivated? Did i diss you in bits and pieces or recent editorial? Obvious something i said about you or someone very close to you must have hit a nerve somwhere down the line. Bottom line i wont stop posting here until i smoke your ass out and trust me your button can be pushed
SPBBBBMBBB said
July 13, 2010 @ 12:21 pm
just got paid…thanks MLE – i’m ready for my next close-up
Kent said
July 14, 2010 @ 8:23 am
I would say like yes A Bomb.
Will said
July 16, 2010 @ 12:09 am
The evidense says A Bomb Guilty.
Cory said
July 17, 2010 @ 1:54 pm
A bomb
You are a bad boy.
fredrick rotanya said
July 24, 2010 @ 8:45 pm
Sorry everyone. Too much silliness. . can’t take it.
Kobi will never take part in the Nathan’s contest again. Seriously folks, it’s not worth it to him now.
Publicity?? OBVIOUSLY, Kobi got a thousand times more publicity (good publicity) than anything to do with Nathan’s, IFOCE, MLE, Joey Chestnuts, or Pepto Bismol.
It doesn’t matter if people think he’s stupid or not stupid – the majority of the world love him either way.
For what he has done until now, no arrest of this kind of reason will ever take that away from his already conquering number of fans compared to any of the above names. Those names disappear to Kobayashi.
So who cares in the end about silly things? Who cares if you think it was a stunt or not??
Just look at the facts, … the 3thousand some hundred related stories about Kobi’s arrest, the 3 days that it was one of the world’s top googled story. He was already and is now even more famous than those people will ever be for ANY of their future contests they plan to hold.
That’s just that. The details concerning the question the people have don’t matter.
Kobi wins hands down. Not an opinion. Look at the news from this. . and look at the majority of comments.
It doesn’t matter if you think it was a stupid move.
He did something. He reacted. He wore a shirt that said, “Free Kobi”. . it raised the question, “WHY??”
to the press.. whether the press told us the right information or not, it still doesn’t matter.. because if they give separate information and leave us confused, people are still going to be asking, “whyyyy?? I still don’t get it.” And quite frankly, as long as people are asking why, the media will still be looking for Kobi.
The other names may get some press, but their contest will not sell more because of this, and their hot dogs certainly will not. There are even blogs to boycott the dogs now. Go figure.
Don’t upset the little man who had the idea, the balls, the honesty- who did it with pure spirit.
Even if he can’t speak English, he will react one day – and in the end, no matter how long it takes, the truth will set the situation free. He doesn’t have to speak – once again, HE RAISED THE QUESTION.
HE CHANGED SOMETHING. THAT IS ALREADY THE SUCCESS IN THIS.
Anonymous said
July 24, 2010 @ 10:36 pm
Fredrick Rotanya makes a great deal of sense, as opposed to so much nonsense. His points are very well taken. Imagine what may happen when Kobayashi goes to court on August 5th. There will be lots of press, probably lots from Japan. Even if not, imagine, the first competitive to eater to be arrested for trying to go up against “the man”, and I do not mean Joey Chestnut. Name recognition? That American who beat Kobayashi. You can insert any name into that sentence………….who beat Kobayashi.
Who doesn’t love to pit the big evil rich corporation against the single person who stands up for his rights. If he had just been seen in the audience, that would have been something for people to wonder about and probably regret that he wasn’t in the contest. Let’s all be truthful. It was boring without Kobayashi or someone who could make it into a real contest. But to be arrested in front of gazillions of fans, to continue his fight to be recognized, that is way more than something.
He offered to eat with no fee. He wanted to prove to himself and his fans that he was champion. But he wanted a say over his life as an eater. Did he lose lots of money by not resigning a contract far more restrictive than those previously? Actually no. One commercial, a few appearances, who is there who doesn’t know about that little Chinese/Asian/Japanese/Korean guy. He is still a mystery and unique, even if Chestnut beat him in dogs a few times. And did Chestnut beat him soundly? Absolutely not.
As this site pointed out, look at the calendar for MLE. And look at all of the now self-produced events featuring competitive eating. So MLE and Nathan’s may indeed find themselves having created something incredible but something they cannot sustain, at least not for their personal financial gain.
Very interesting.