OCPoise announces that Takeru Kobayashi, Tom Gilbert, Pete Czerwinski, Dale Boone (billed as "the most colorful character in the last decade of competitive eating") and Rich LeFevre are expected to compete in the West Coast Hot Dog Eating Championship at The Derby Deli in Mission Viejo on September 5.

August 16, 2011 at 2:41 pm by ojrifkin · More posts about:Contest Previews, Orange County, Unafilliated Contests | Permalink * Comments (32)

32 Comments »

  1. I'm Bud's Man said

    August 16, 2011 @ 3:32 pm

    According to the “article”:

    “Takeru Kobayashi, international celebrity World-Record holding competitive eater originally from Nagano, Japan, will end his 2-year hiatus from competitive hot dog-eating contests.”

    So I guess the OCPoise recognizes that his stunt on July 4 wasn’t legit. So now he’s going up against people that he’s beaten so badly recently and in the past it is joke. Boy that takes guts. Also, I like it when they list Kobi’s accomplishments they forget that he lost to Joey at Nathan’s then he quit. I used to be a Kobi fan, but it’s stuff like this, his stunts at July 4th this year and last year that make him look sad, egotistic, selfish, and it is always all about him. I can no longer blame his handler. He had to approve this second rate event, against second rate, washed up eaters. A lesson in how to go from respectable to laughable.

  2. ojrifkin said (Registered July 27, 2005)

    August 16, 2011 @ 4:22 pm

    Takeru Kobayashi defeated Joey Chestnut easily in his final big IFOCE contest, the 2009 Krystal Square Off.

    http://eatfeats.com/query.php?_table=contests&id=3213

  3. Stallion Italian said (Registered August 27, 2010)

    August 16, 2011 @ 4:40 pm

    I’m Bud’s Man is no ombudsman if that is the reference. Way too slanted to ever be a mediator. Even Kobayashi’s losses to Joey were either close or depended upon the judging. He is moving along by leaps and bounds without MLE so please get off the soapbox. Sad, egotistic, selfish, it is always about him describes some people who post here but they are definitely not Kobayashi. Of course he did not lose to Joey and then quit. But then you already know that. How much money has he won already without MLE, how much publicity has he garnered, and how much enjoyment is he having along with doing rigorous training? Lots and lots and lots. He is unleashed and he isn’t looking back. Can you hear me now?

  4. I'm Bud's Man said

    August 16, 2011 @ 5:09 pm

    The more Kobi eats against competiton that is not in his league, the more and more the general public and media are tiring of him. Does anybody actually believe that Kobi’s not going to win this one by huge margin. He might as well eat by himself. Which is really all he is doing with some other eaters as pretend competition backdrops. He will always be known as that skinny, Japanese kid who ate all those hot dogs at Nathan’s. Every year he moves farther away from his Nathan’s days, his name will fade when current and other Nathan’s eaters come along break his record. Sure a man’s gotta make a living. But, I can guarantee ESPN will not be covering the West Coast Hot Dog Eating Championship. Not enough characters in the plot line to make it interesting. So if top media, not OCPoise, don’t care about the event where does he go from here? Sadly, like this OCPoise article does, look back on the years when was a real winner and not at some fake events. Last year and this year at Nathan’s was selfish and sad and the general public saw it as Iook at me I’m relevant I really want to be there but I will screw over sponsors who made his name and eat other products if the price is right. No I can’t hear you you dumbass — you wrote it down. Who are you George W. Bush?.

  5. anonymous said

    August 16, 2011 @ 5:13 pm

    Its sad that Rich the eater has turned his back on MLE..I guess he was too old to compete with the younger crowd..The problem is hes running with a crowd he cant beat anyhow..Talk about biting the hand that feeds you””””””’

  6. Gentleman Joe said (Registered December 8, 2005)

    August 16, 2011 @ 6:12 pm

    It is true that Boone has been the most colorful eater. But not in a way that’s good.

    Politically, this activity has become about money & control.

    Kobi has smartend up & realized he IS competitive eating. To call him selfish or any of us selfish, for not wanting to be under the control of a couple guys who have no respect for us or our abilties is crazy.

    Espn probably won’t cover this event, but its ONLY because they are in bed w/the Shea’s.

    Hopefully Kobi will make a deal w/…Ballpark or Boar’s Head. & stop using Nathan’s dogs. Its crazy to keep using them when they won’t let him compEAT on the 4th.

    Rich has always had an indy streak. He’s probably one of the few, who got as much from the ifoce as they got from him.

  7. Shawn "The Vacuum" Kirby said

    August 16, 2011 @ 6:29 pm

    The Derby Deli is NOT using Nathans,, Kobi will NOT eat Nathans,, same exact dog made by a different company, bun and dog will be the EXACT same size and weight at the Derby Deli,,, a new record will be set..

  8. I'm Bud's Man said

    August 16, 2011 @ 6:37 pm

    Why would Boar’s Head or Ballpark trust him? The only reason why MLE won’t let you eat is because they have to be able to stop eaters from eating another competitive product. Kobi has a problem with that. For example, he might want to eat another hot dog for a Japanese television show if he wanted to. It had nothing to do with that “Free Kobi” garbage. That was just some scam his handler worked up to get Pavlovian Kobi fans angry at the MLE for bargaining power. He could of competed but he chose not to do so by not signing a protection contract for the company who is paying you. I guess Gentleman Joe bought into that Koolaid that Kobi’s spinner handed him. Fine don’t sign a contract, now you are “free” to go out and eat whatever you want. For example, this week Kobi’s showing that he doesn’t have any loyalty Nathan’s hotdogs. More power to him. But if I owned Ballpark or Boar’s Head, I’d be a little nervous if Hebrew National started coming around with a bigger check. So really, without true product loyalty by the spokesperson, what would any endorsement like that really mean. When you see Kobi you think Nathan’s, now he’s tarnished that. What would prevent Kobi from eating another product — a contract — but Kobi doesn’t sign those. Wake up!

  9. Gastrodyne said (Registered July 17, 2011)

    August 16, 2011 @ 8:01 pm

    @I’m Bud’s Man

    I think all this koby controversy is built arround a false dicotomy. He either has a problem with the clauses of MLE contract or he is a selfish/coward person that doesn’t want to lose to joey again in HDBs. Truth is he probably did have a problem with the clauses, and you can’t blame him for that. Maybe his approach to competitive eating is diferent than those of yourself or other eaters. Truth is that while i don’t consider him a coward he does have an ego. He doesn’t seem to underestimate Joey’s accomplisements in CE, neither does he himself claim (as long as i know) to hold a world record or have beaten Joey Chestnut this July 4th, but when you read the news about him and his perfomances it’s a different story. He brags about his feats in a way he doesn’t do or answer personally. I want to believe this is only for the sake of marketing only, but it does hurt his image on this kobi fan here.

    It’s complex and i don’t wanna write a huge boring paragraph that noone is going to read anyway.

  10. Gentleman Joe said (Registered December 8, 2005)

    August 16, 2011 @ 8:31 pm

    While I get what you are saying Bud Man, I believe you are wrong.

    Kobi has bent over backwards to try not to piss off Nathan’s. His roof top “stunt” used Nathan’s. My educated guess would be, if proper sponsorship/endorsement were involved like Pepto w/Joey, then Kobi wouldn’t have had a problem w/it. When you are getting nothing, or a minimal amount, & are locked up in an unreasonable contract, why shouldn’t you be able to compete in similar events.

    I think he hasn’t gone w/any other hot dog brand hoping that Nathan’s will smarten up, leave the ifoce, & bring him back. The true Talent.

    WHY should he have any loyalty to Nathan’s?? They haven’t shown any to anyone but the Shea’s

    While it is understandable that if the ifoce had McD’s they wouldn’t want you compEATing in a BK contest the following month. That is NOT most of what they won’t let you do. The feeling the ifoce has is if a place has a contest, or challenge, they should have gone thru them, spent an insane amount of $$$ & practically go bankrupt for the tiny amount of attention they get in return. Lets face it, how much of a moron do you have to be to screw up an eating contest. Most places do it for fun, charity, or local attention. Call your local tv, radio, or newspaper, someone will show.

    The saddest part is the same eaters that probably began their big eating thru challenges, when they join the ifoce, can’t do them anymore.

    With all this said, I believe everyone who EATS should join the ifoce…except me.

  11. Gastrodyne said (Registered July 17, 2011)

    August 16, 2011 @ 8:32 pm

    BTW It’s nice to see more eaters go independent. Sure it is an eassy win for koby, but still those eaters have made a name for themselves one way or another, and seeing them going independent is what i’d call a good start.

  12. What? said

    August 16, 2011 @ 10:34 pm

    There are a number of talented dudes in this contest, including some up and comers. Look for a number of feuds to be developed at the press conference. You may laugh, but CE would do well to take a hint from pro wrestling. Koby might be the Hulk Hogan of this event, dropping a big leg on everyone, but there are a number of heavy hitter here.. we could see a battle develop between Excel and anyone. Maybe there’ll be a fight among the socal eaters for top dog of socal.

  13. Crowd said

    August 16, 2011 @ 10:38 pm

    Unfortunately some good eaters were left out of the billing. Where’s Johnnie Excel? The guy’s been eating a whole year, he’s won a ton of contests, and they don’t even mention him. He took third place last year. You also have Kevin Ross, the newly independent eater who recently broke from IFOCE and just won two contests within weeks of each other. The guy’s been to the big table at Nathan’s. These guys are no jokes. Excel has a shot at third or even second place if his numbers line up. Ross could well finish in the money too.

  14. beautifulbrian said

    August 17, 2011 @ 12:24 am

    Gastro you are not boring and you are speaking your mind. . I rarely post my viewpoints on this site because most of the time im busy fighting off another hater. and OJ Rifkin seems to enjoy every minute of it . First off Joe Kobi could care less about pleasing Nathans and if you think he used Nathans hot dogs in the rooftop event for that very reason you are more naive than i thought you were. Why would Kobi use any other brand beside Nathans when trying to set a record in simulcast with Joey ? Kobi is done with Sheas and Nathans. He was offered 10 grand to compete this year in Coney He turned it down matter of fact he never responded PERIOD! . If they offered him more i believe he still would have said no. Dont ask me how do i know ? I know so dont worry about it . Kobi doesnt believe in burying hatchet . Screw him over one time and youre history . Dont ask me to take sides because i wont badmouth the guys i eat with meaning MLE and on the same token i like Kobi

  15. Bud light is right said

    August 17, 2011 @ 1:44 am

    Bud man speaks the truth . Sometimes you can tell a whole lot about someone when you go on the person facebook page. Kobayashi rarely comments or reads his friends pages but he doesn’t mind taking in the snow jobs and the admiration directed towards him.

  16. Anonymous said

    August 17, 2011 @ 6:33 pm

    Seiken, the expert on Kobayashi……..believe that and he will tell you another one. Seiken just loves trying to be the know it all while showing his true colors on his own website. And please let’s get real. Kobayashi has his Facebook page as an internationally known person. Of course he uses it for “advertising”…….that is why people have a look at his page. He is not Joe Nobody.

  17. Seiken fan said

    August 17, 2011 @ 10:36 pm

    Anon 633. It’s amazing how your so apt to misinterpretation as to what Seiken is trying to point out . As if every comment he makes is egocentric.Why dont you add Kobi as a FB friend and you will find that his page is anything but a public figure page. Get the facts straight before you say something stupid because you just did

  18. on Looker said

    August 18, 2011 @ 4:38 am

    Let’s see how Kobyashi does without cheating this time. He knows what I mean.

  19. Anonymous said

    August 18, 2011 @ 5:38 am

    Bud light is wrong. Kobi does look at alot of his friend’s facebook pages and he does comment on occassion. If you were a true friend of his you would know that. Take off the blinders and speak the truth.

  20. Anonymous said

    August 18, 2011 @ 8:42 am

    Seiken tries to be Kobayashi’s friend for his own purposes. Those purposes are always self-serving. Bud light is absolutely wrong. Kobayashi does look at his friends pages and sometimes comments, just as anonymous says. His English is limited still and he does not yet know that Seiken is not to be trusted. Kobayashi is humble while maintaining strong principles which he will not compromise. He is doing just fine and better than if he had stayed with MLE as it turns out.

  21. anonymous said

    August 18, 2011 @ 9:18 am

    How do you know he looks at his friends pages? How does anyone know? Is there a function on FB that enables one to see who is visiting their page? No. You are just speculating. The only way to know if someone visits or takes an interest in what you have to say is when they leave a comment or a thumbs up . The more one posts the more you can get a general idea of what that person is all about

  22. Stallion Italian said (Registered August 27, 2010)

    August 18, 2011 @ 10:03 am

    Gentleman Joe, excellent postings and please continue. Here we have someone who has always spoken his mind but with respect and humor and has been in competitive eating for a very long time.

  23. I see a fight coming on said

    August 18, 2011 @ 12:13 pm

    Wloce is getting the west coast going now. Is Ifoce time has come ?

  24. Dog said

    September 5, 2011 @ 12:55 pm

    Yes Sir . WLOCE Is here. Now with Koby on board Sky is the limt.

  25. Anonymous said

    September 5, 2011 @ 1:47 pm

    Eating at the same table does not mean Koby is on board. Ifoce may be on the slide, but it certainly is not from anything Boone’s league of one has done.

  26. chanmakala said

    September 5, 2011 @ 2:15 pm

    Dale is the most colorful character because of various reasons and i feel the smile on his face and his bubbly presence of his makes a big difference and tats what is entertainment u know Beauty with Brains and not without Brains like few…..even i rem one of his photograph with dinner bell and te traditional head wear wow tats co creative their is a theme a meaning ,so very connective to the profession…tats a signature !!! Hats off 🙂

  27. IDEA sir said

    September 5, 2011 @ 2:34 pm

    OHH KKK IC!!! YOU ARE CORRECT YAAR @CHANMAKALA WHERE ARE U FROM ..ITS STRANGE I DIN MEET YOU I LOVE PPL WHO IS IN FAVOUR OF OUR HERO DALE .KEEP IT GOING WOKAY !

  28. CHABAR CHABAR said

    September 5, 2011 @ 2:48 pm

    why on earth do you delete my post al hv freedom of speech yaar we speak for dale then whats bothering you ..u dont read coz u dont understand …JINGA CHAK JINGA CHAK WE LOVE DALE !

  29. CHANMAKALA said

    September 5, 2011 @ 2:57 pm

    how mean you all are deleted my posting he is colorful character again il say coz of his Attire ,nature ,creativeness and his smile HE IS ULTIMATE RAINBOW IN THE SKY! TATS ENTERTAINMENT BEAUTY WITH BRAIN ,HE IS VERY CLEVER PERSON ……..LETS AL SCREAMMMMM D FOR DUTIFULL A FOR AWESOME L FOR LOVING E FOR ENERGITIC * DALE* cling cling ching ching cluckcluck BANG! DALE ..U HV IT ALL .U ARE THE MASTER .YOU ARE THE BEST: NO:1 CHAMPION .

  30. Spy Guy said

    September 5, 2011 @ 4:48 pm

    Does any of this look like Boone postings to you? Who else could be THAT illiterate.

  31. Stallion Italian said (Registered August 27, 2010)

    September 5, 2011 @ 5:00 pm

    Jumpin catfish……….Boone is unique Spy Guy. He manages to be illiterate in speech and writing without being on any recreational drugs and/or alcohol. He is a real Party of One.

  32. STRONG FOOT said

    September 8, 2011 @ 8:43 pm

    @ spy guy WHAT NONSENSE ARE U TALKING ILLITERATE IS WHO IN THIS CROWD WHO ARE IGNORANT FOOLS ..HYPOCRITES ALL KNOWS TO YAK YAK TE LOOSE TONGUE ! TAME YOUR TONGUE …THEN YOU ARE SAYING GOSH THE WAY YOU ALL ACT IS LITERATE THEN I CAN IMAGINE HOW LITERATE YOU ARE ..BANG !!!GET LOST ! WHICH SCHOOL DID YOU GO TO ???..GEEEK!
    (DALE IS THE WORLD CHAMPION ,HE IS BEST ONE)!!

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