The Brooklyn Paper claims that Takeru Kobayashi actually ate 65 hot dogs at his rooftop event in Manhattan instead of the claimed 69. A Yardbarker report (via Kobayashi twitter) about the event claims that "credentialled 'spies'" from Nathan's were responsible for the claims of a miscount, but does not name the spies or state what their credentials were. A video with an alternate superimposed has been uploaded to youtube. (via Darren Rovell twitter) update A Gothamist commenter claims that Kobayashi received a $15,000 appearance fee from 230 Fifth, more than Nathan's first place prize money.
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Anonymous said
July 7, 2011 @ 3:42 pm
Really now, how ridiculous. It is completely clear that Darren Rovell has been in the Sheas and ESPN pockets for some time. He works for them, he should be.
“EXCLUSIVE: Kobayashi didn’t come close to eating a record 69 hot dogs. Complete video w/real count sprts.bz/kobaylie”
And after he stated that there were fewer viewers suddenly he corrects himself and writes what the sponsors and MLE and ESPN want everyone to “know”? This year’s Nathans had the most viewers ever? Whatever…..Spin is spin. So is BS. And, just in case anyone cares, even 65 is more than 62.
ojrifkin said (Registered July 27, 2005)
July 7, 2011 @ 4:18 pm
Here are the official cable ratings for July 4 showing 1,949,000 viewers for the hot dog eating contest (WWE wrestling had about twice as many) I do not know what the official ratings were for previous years.
http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/07/06/monday-cable-ratings-wwe-raw-switched-at-birth-joey-chestnut-single-ladies-teen-wolf-more/97281/
ojrifkin said (Registered July 27, 2005)
July 7, 2011 @ 4:54 pm
Also, the editor of the Brooklyn Paper is friend of the Sheas Gersh Kuntzman. He usually writes an article about the Nathan’s contest, but I have not seen one from him this year.
Anonymous said
July 7, 2011 @ 5:34 pm
Gersh was one of the first and earliest followers in the media for Nathans. I wouldn’t exactly call him a friend as he could be a tough critic of many things but he absolutely had the ear of the Sheas from the earliest times because of his interest before anyone else really cared, at least in the States. In the early days there was more press than fans. Gersh has been a mascot and judge and lots of other things for Nathans so he certainly would lean in their direction for sure. I am guessing that he is no longer very interested. He definitely loved when Kobayashi came on the scene.
kuntsman said
July 7, 2011 @ 8:12 pm
Gersh Kunzman knows nothing about competitive eating. In the early days of Nathans if you happened to see Kunzman on video or television he couldnt even pronounce Ed Krachie last name correctly. Its Crotchie not “Kraaaatchie” . For the record he is no longer a reporter for the NY post . Brooklyn paper is given out on the streets for nothing
anonymous said
July 7, 2011 @ 8:45 pm
the alternate superimposed video or the “long version” is excellent. After watching this video it reminds me of Rocky4 at the press conference when Drago manager tells the press how weak and pathetic this so called american champ will look against Drago. The same applies to most of the male competition at Nathans compared to Kobayashi. He makes it look so easy when they make it look so hard. The man is a master at his trade make no mistake about it
Blizzz said (Registered July 16, 2008)
July 8, 2011 @ 9:07 am
@ 8:45 totally true. It’s poetic when Kobi eats. I mean, it looks so easy when he does it… just keeps going down into a seemingly bottomless abyss of a stomach. Watch chestnut, poor bastard looks like he’s about to die at all times… Bertoletti reminds me a bit of kobi too, never really seems too hard for him to put up amazing numbers.
ano0nymous said
July 8, 2011 @ 9:15 am
Thats why the Japanese male and female can consume and enjoy more food than the americans because they are conditioned to eat that way. Most american women cringe at even the thought of consuming more than one hot dog. EWWW gross. Well guess what you will never enjoy the finer things life has to offer and that is hot dogs!
hmmm said
July 8, 2011 @ 9:19 am
ha ha ha ha ha…Kobi has the last laugh…eats more, and makes more on the 4th. Kobi Unleashed!
Gastroboy said
July 8, 2011 @ 9:57 am
As I already said here:
http://eatfeats.com/wsj-kobayashi-eats-69-hot-dogs-in-10-minutes.html#comment-664318
He ate 66. Could be 65 had he left 2 sausages hidden behind the final plate, which i can’t tell from the video and i think noone can tell from the videos uploaded for that matter. This scenario looks very unlikely though. It’s very clear though that he didn’t eat 69.
Stallion Italian said (Registered August 27, 2010)
July 8, 2011 @ 10:02 am
In brief even though it is a stub
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gersh_Kuntzman
Yes, he knows a lot about competitive eating and you cannot even spell his name correctly.
anonymous said
July 8, 2011 @ 10:16 am
I think it is unfair for Joey to claim Kobayashi would have beaten him. There is a big difference in competition when your opponent is not competing right next to you as opposed to a rooftop miles away.
. If Joey was competing right next to Koby and knew that Koby was a hot dog or two ahead of him , he would have pressed the issue and picked up the pace. glancing at Koby plate from the corner of his eye. No corner of the eye glancing is possible when the opponent is competing in an entirely different stage than Coney Island
anonymous said
July 8, 2011 @ 10:35 am
Ok then maybe Allen Shredder should do the same stunt in an undisclosed area with bologna and attempt to beat Don Lerman record
Oh for God's sake already said
July 8, 2011 @ 10:48 am
Kobi is unstoppable? Even Joey knows he’d beat him? I’m tired of hearing about both of them! I get excited about REAL independent eaters out there for the sport of it, for the fun. I’m pretty sure WE ARE ALL tired of this Kobi vs The Shea’s vs Jaws crap. It’s over. It was years ago at this point. Make a new name for yourself & move on.
Anonymous said
July 8, 2011 @ 11:26 am
Koby didn’t need Joey standing onstage to push himself. There’s a huge difference right there in the caliber of performance of these two men. Koby eats like a champion. And as for Oh for God’s sake already, maybe you’re in the wrong forum. Eatfeats is all about CE. Joey and Koby are the two biggest performers in the history of the activity. OK, the independent scene is nice. But seriously, who would actually prefer watching Johnnie Excel, Randy Santel or Joe LaRue over the icons? No disrespect is directed at those men. They’re fine performers. Eminently qualified. But it’s tough to watch Joey guzzle his food and then take a look at guys who really compete at a different level.
Anonymous said
July 9, 2011 @ 1:35 am
If Shredder gave a crap about the bologna record he could have broken it on BB’s living room internet show 5 years ago.
anonymous said
July 9, 2011 @ 9:59 am
if Shredder was in BB’s living room then he could have set the world record for cockroach eating too
Stallion Italian said (Registered August 27, 2010)
July 9, 2011 @ 10:00 am
Stepping way back, perhaps what is most interesting is that without either the Sheas or Kobayashi planning this result, together they are causing more media attention paid to this year’s contest than before, certainly I would think than would have been had Kobayashi competed last year and this year whether he beat Joey or not. That would have been just more of the same old same old in a way. IMO, once again Kobayashi brings far more to the sport than any other eater in history including Joey no matter what he did or does. His main claim to fame is that he beat Kobayashi. And, as many have said, it is simply painful to watch Chestnut eat with his veins throbbing on his forehead. Kobayashi, like Sonya, like some of the Japanese eaters from the past, is a pleasure to watch. But Kobayashi is in a category all by himself. It is not only his hand-eye coordination and focus which Sonya also shows, it is his and Sonya’s spirit and will to give it 1000% and stick to one’s principles along with unique talent.
beautifulbrian said
July 9, 2011 @ 10:19 am
I would have to agree with 135&959 but in the last two or three years there hasn’t been one cockroach in my apt due to housing preservation cracking down on deadbeat landlords . My apt is roach and mice free so far
Stallion Italian said (Registered August 27, 2010)
July 9, 2011 @ 12:26 pm
The as usual insightful supposed journalist writes about roaches and mice and baloney…….how apropos. Hanging in by a roaches eyelash, write something appropriate and current and stop writing anonymous comments just to get your name mentioned. You bring a lot of bad stuff to competitive eating. Just my opinion……………
beautifulbrian said
July 9, 2011 @ 1:10 pm
You know what my opinion is of you ? . At least im an insightful supposed journalist with a real name attacted to it Youre a phoney fake ass turd that posts under the name STALLION ITALIAN because you have something to hide. Keep slipping up because im this close to finding out who the hell you are after you said some nasty things about Julilet Lee. There are a few eaters in the IFOCE that dont like her and i know you are one of them. But then again i could always be wrong now cant it? . You will be exposed very soon. Ive exposed others and youre one of the easy ones jerkoff! BTW nobody cares about your dumbass opinions regarding grace lee kobayashi and any other topic that you think youre an expert in. Just post youre real name next time or shutup .
Stallion Italian said (Registered August 27, 2010)
July 9, 2011 @ 1:16 pm
Eloquently stated and punctuated as usual Mr. Seiken. You know nothing about me. And now to real entertainment.
Fan of Stallion said
July 10, 2011 @ 12:45 pm
I care about Stallion Italian’s opinions because they are usually on topic and sometimes right on. This is a format for people to state their opinions isn’t it? What I dislike are those that come on here completely off topic with their own trashy agenda. If an individual is giving their opinion on topic do we really care who it is?