ABC News: IFOCE in discussions with Kobayashi
ABCNews.com has an article about Kobayashi’s possible absence from the Nathan’s finals. George Shea disputes the Mainichi Daily News report, but does not explicitly state Kobayashi will be in Coney Island July 4.
“I saw that, too,” Shea said of the Japanese report. “I said, ‘What’s going on here?’ We have purchased the guy a ticket. We’ve been in discussions with him. All I can tell you is it’s full speed ahead here.”
update ABC confuses the name of Kobayashi’s manager, Kumi Ozeki, with the name of the publication the quotes appeared in, the Shukan Gendai.
Wikipedia describes the content of Shukan Gendai:
Shukan Gendai -“weekly today” (週刊現代, “weekly today”?)- is a weekly magazine published since 1959 by Kodansha. Published simultaneously with Weekly Post (another weekly magazine published by Shogakukan), it includes articles about political scandals, sports and celebrities; nude photos; movie information; book reviews; and other articles of interest to middle-aged salarymen.
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beautifulbrian said
June 14, 2007 @ 11:24 am
George Shea must be slamming the newspaper down on his desk with comments such as “What is he doing? This is big money doesnt he realize he is screwing up the biggest showdown in television history?” I would have to agree with George if that is indeed going through his mind right now. This brings back memories of two similar incidents although slim in comparison to the magnitude of the upcoming Nathans final. When i was 12 we had a very popular touch football team and the star quarterback decided he couldnt play that day. One of our teammates was ready to forfeit the game because he thought it would be a virtual impossibility to play the game without him. “We cant have a game without Mike” . In 1968 the Mets were getting set to play the Phillies in what they called back then a twi night doubldheader . Richie Allen was a no show that day. Allen was their top gun regardless of the fact that he was restless and disgruntled , he was their big slugger. I remember Met announcer Bob Murphy saying . “Where is Richie Allen” ? “ThePhillies refuse to start the game until Richie shows” . Rumor had it, he was at the racetrack. Nowadays that is considered unheard of . They suspend them end of story. Kobe’s story might be somewhat different. His mom died and if anyone out there has suffered a loss of that magnitude , you know what its like. You never forget , but as time goes on the healing process slowly sets in which allows you to cope with it and go on with life. The grieving process is different for each indiviudal. Some grieve for a few days, a few months , or a few years. You dont know how close he was with his mom so in his defense i dont think its fair to judge his decisions. He has not confirmed he wont be going to Coney so lets give him the benefit of the doubt . I have read some of the comments on this site and it appears certain people thrive on debating issues they dont agree with. Nothing wrong with that. However , don’t waste your time with me because this is my only statement on this issue and i wont respond back to anyone.
Crazy Legs Mom said
June 14, 2007 @ 11:41 am
I am reposting this in order to put it into the current thread on this issue. I posted it under the Mainichi News article first.
Speculation makes for, perhaps, interesting reading, but it is not journalism. It is exactly that…….speculation with impunity, particularly if one uses an alias. Information directly from the source is the most reliable, and just because something is printed in a newspaper or magazine does not mean that it is true. Everyone who has ever been interviewed knows that what is quoted is often out of context and not what one said. Truth is elusive, and like Rashomon, truth is in the eyes of the beholder. July 4th and every qualifier leading up to July 4th will tell the story. May the best eaters win everywhere! Good Luck All though as Meatsweats Mom, I have to root for my team. GO MEATSWEATS!
Crazy Legs Mom said
June 14, 2007 @ 11:56 am
There surely must be a dearth of fact checkers in the newspaper world, or is it simply that media outlets ride the shinkansen, as in high speed train and thus, veracity has lost its importance. Shukan Gendai could be someone’s name in Japanese, that is, both words are used as names in Japanese. However, that use is relatively rare. Shukan Gendai, Kobayashi’s manager? I believe strongly this is not the case though am always happy to be corrected. ABC News as reliable source? Decide for yourself. As for me, I have had my chuckle for the day.
http://marie.thoughtshop.net/portfolio/pixFiles/S_GendaiCoverPic.html
Steakbellie said (Registered August 11, 2006)
June 14, 2007 @ 1:21 pm
It is a sad day when people like me & Super Paul are the voice of reason on this site.
Please review the above wisdom by CrazyLegsMom. Who among you has given an interview that has been printed correctly? Who among you has altered the facts in the Interview just to see if they will print it?
Lets remember that this may have been inserted in the Press just to add to the suspense. Dont be angry, just understand that it’s part of the Communication Game. Suddenly the world is aware that Koby may or may not be present, and they will tune in on July 4th to see rather than catch it on the news that night.
My personal view of Koby is that he has the Heart of a Champion, and has been waiting for 5 years for someone to come up to his level. Several Eaters have stepped up, but Joey is the most prominent. I expect to see both of them compete on the 4th.
Avoid talking smack on the guy whatever the case. He’s given this sport far more than he’s gotten back, so even if he did quit or take time off he doesnt owe us Jack….
Go Meatsweats!!!!!
Rhonda Evans said
June 14, 2007 @ 1:22 pm
That’s a great picture. Look at all the fingerpointing at Kobayashi. Yet, he simply and calmly goes about his business and continues to kick ass like the gentleman he is. I think Joey may break a blood vessel in his head this time around.
carey poehlmann said
June 14, 2007 @ 1:23 pm
Koby’s manager is named as Kumi Ozeki, Shukan Gendai is the writer of the Japanese newspaper’s article. As far as the Abc facts, the only item I cannot verify myself would be the quote by George Shea. I hope to hell that David Schoetz didn’t make up that quote. There are easily taken actions against that sort of thing.
carey poehlmann said
June 14, 2007 @ 1:28 pm
Steakbellie, you should think of yourself as reasonable, I haven’t seen any thoughtless posts by you in the past.
oh yeah, um, GO HUNGRY HOOLIGANS!!!!!!
Mega Munch said
June 14, 2007 @ 1:34 pm
If it’s any indication as to how accurate these stories can (or cannot) be, in that article they said Joey ate 52 HDBs in last year’s contest to set a new American record and finished THIRD. How hard is it to verify that fact?!
Mega Munch said
June 14, 2007 @ 1:36 pm
By the way, great picture in that story. That, of course, being the now infamous “douple pointing” photo taken mere seconds after Koby’s alleged reversal.
Crazy Legs Mom said
June 14, 2007 @ 1:38 pm
Hmmmmm……..Fact check again………read carefully both the English and the Japanese…….Yes, you caught me…….just using this as an opportunity for promoting “my” team. BOOM CHICKA BOOM BOOM CHICKA BOOM………..GO MEATSWEATS!
carey poehlmann said
June 14, 2007 @ 3:48 pm
Wow, eagle eye Dave, I think sometimes those wrong facts are caused by retypes, like changing the structure of a sentence, but not changing all of the words. He might have wanted to include something about Joeys debut finishing third, and deleted the wrong parts after deciding to exclude it. Is that a stretch? Anyways, GO HH!
mamamia said
June 14, 2007 @ 5:01 pm
Oh Rhonda, your mother just ran out from under the porch and bit some guys leg
Anonymous said
June 14, 2007 @ 6:07 pm
Mamamia thats awful but at least rhondas mother probably had her rabies shot. Did yours? If not you shuld get the bitch to the vet.
Luther
The_Hangman said (Registered August 30, 2006)
June 14, 2007 @ 8:48 pm
My thought is Koby will be there. After that he may or may not quit.
Remember controversy sells. Look at Dan Rathers recent remarks about Katie Couric and “tarts”. Look at Rosie O’Donnel and her remarks about Donald Trump and other while on “The View”. Coming from the World of Professional Wrestling like I did, controversy sold there big time.
Look at controversy as a marketing ploy. It does sell newspapers and does generate interest.
Will Koby show or not. That is controversy and we are talking about it.
As Artie Johnson used to say on Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, “Verrrrrrrrrry Interesting”
SuperPaul said
June 15, 2007 @ 7:38 am
Koby, I’m not concerned about….my biggest worry is, will The Hangman be there? And, if so, will he bring his whip, and literally, whip his opponents by putting them into a figure four, or perhaps use the heart punch?
Rhonda Evans said
June 15, 2007 @ 8:13 am
Bear with me on this … I have four points:
First, one thing I learned over the years is that you can fairly effectively judge the quality of a person by the tone and sensibility their comments, both online and in person postnonsensical.
Another kernel of knowledge I discovered is that such posters of ludicrous remarks are like bad teeth: ignore them and they’ll go away. 🙂
Second, I agree with The_Hangman. Koby will be at the final table and will serve as a gurgitational “Hangman!” Again, you heard it right here on eatfeats.com! Koby will do nothing more, however, than what he usually does … … he’ll win. 🙂
Third, after he kicks ass and eats 60+ HDBs, I hope he retires and goes on to use his reputation as the greatest professional sportsman of all time for future endorsements and health-related endeavors. He sure has the Star Power. May he take full advantage of it. He deserves it as he almost singlehandedly made the sport what it is today. Yes, I mean EVERY word in that last sentence.
Fourth and last, we seem to go through this every year and at every televised event where Joey and Koby square off (no pun intended). People talk sh** about what Joey will do; Koby kicks his ass; the talk subsides for awhile until the cycle begins again with notice of the next “showdown.”
I hope this is the last cycle because it’s getting old (though it does bring out Koby’s best).
The_Hangman said (Registered August 30, 2006)
June 15, 2007 @ 1:41 pm
In reply to Super Pauls comments. I offer my services as a Judge at Coney. This will be one highly contested, watched and talked about event. The more judges to make sure this contest is fair and square the better it will be for the CE World overall. At least try to have one Judge to oversee each of the top 4 or 5 eaters. The WORLD will be watching. Will extra Judges be watching?
So if IFOCE or MLE is reading this, you know my e-mail and my phone number. I’ve been a REFEREE in Wrestling and still have a few black and white zebra shirts I can wear. And for Super Paul. I do have a few bull whips I know how to use. My Wife even has a 3 foot bullwhip she used to use in the wrestling ring. At 60 years young she still knows how to use it.
Anonymous said
June 15, 2007 @ 1:54 pm
Um, Hangman…there’s always a judge for every eater at Coney Island.
The_Hangman said (Registered August 30, 2006)
June 15, 2007 @ 7:42 pm
To Anonymous. There are judges and there are JUDGES