IFOCE ruling – not a “full reversal”
Michael David Smith of AOL Fanhouse interviewed Richard Shea this morning:
International Federation of Competitive Eating rules are clear about reversals: Vomiting equals disqualification. Kobayashi’s official total should have been zero.
But it wasn’t. It was 63. Why? I put that question to Major League Eating President Richard Shea in a telephone interview this morning, and he told me this:
“The judges’ ruling was that the reversal occurred after the buzzer. They also didn’t characterize it as a full reversal because it didn’t hit the table.”
Loading ...
I love Kevin Ross said
July 5, 2007 @ 1:39 pm
didnt hit the table yeah whatever
carey poehlmann said
July 5, 2007 @ 2:21 pm
would you consider the crowd as part of the table? And why don’t you have to hold it in after the buzzer? Oh, right, making up the rule$ as you go along.
Killer K Hill said
July 5, 2007 @ 2:22 pm
It sqirted out the sides of both of his cheeks like an eruption. Im sure the contents of the hotdogs hot the table, after his reversal. Joey brought it to Takeru, one of the best Coney Island competitions I have ever seen.
The_Hangman said (Registered August 30, 2006)
July 5, 2007 @ 5:40 pm
Koby not full reversal is like being not fully pregnant. Either he did or did not.
You say it did not hit the table. The video shows it hit the table, the floor and even ESPN mentioned that it hit a few people in the spray zone.
As one of the eaters I say the comment about not a full reversal is BULL and spits or is a full reversal in the face of the other eaters including more so those eaters that were DQ’ed for a lot less in other contests.
I had already offered myself to be a Judge at this contest. I said there are judges and there are JUDGES. Maybe theur needs to be JUDGES not afraid to DQ someone like Koby for the blatant numerous fouls. Or maybe the Charles Hardy tried to DQ Koby but got out voted by George Shea. Whatever happened the news reporters are talking about what a joke this contest was. They are asking why was there not a DQ? This is not me but the regular media and the general public asking why did Koby get a bye on this one.
Gentleman Joe said
July 5, 2007 @ 6:21 pm
Charles wouldn’t be the 1st “commisioner” to take heat for a possible reversal by Kobe.
I saw the 2nd viewing between 11pm & midnight est & didn’t see the reversal. Maybe ESPN had already edited it out.
I don’t really care. It might be different if he had won.
Here’s everyone’s problem, You think this is Sport. It is much more like wrestling, sports entertainment. I really hope that the eaters who started out in the teens of hdb’s & now are in trhe 30’s & above don’t suffer from the same fates as so many of the other sports entertainers.
Let me be clear. I am not saying that any eating event is pre-determined, but it is obvious that the better eaters/entertainers get better treatment.
Anonymous said
July 5, 2007 @ 6:28 pm
I am dismayed at this ruling. I have followed this sport for years and done my best to grasp the rules that go with the competition. It has always been my understanding that there may be no “reversal” within a certain number of minutes following the competition. It seems, in fact, that one of the eaters (I dare say T.K?) was in a disqualification scenario several years ago for a reversal that occurred too close to the end of the contest. As I watched the “reversal” on the fourth I became more excited to think that T.K. would be disqualified for this – thus making room at the top for some other worthy competitors. The IFOCE judges and management team have let me down. Based on the question survey at the edge of this blog – 64% of IFOCE fans feel the same way. I will also point out that after T.K was NOT disqualified I attempted to look up the official rules – I could not find them. Perhaps my fellow blogger is correct and they are being made up as the competitors eat away.
WyattEarp said
July 5, 2007 @ 7:53 pm
Gentleman Joe…I dont understant your logic. You say that CE isn’t a sport because the better eaters are treated better. That how it is in every sport. You have to produce.
These are some of the most elite athletes on the planet. There are fewer people on the planet that can eat 45+ HDBs than can run a sub 4 minute mile. These eaters don’t just have a big stomach. They’ve trained as hard as any other athlete in the world.
Kevin Carr said
July 5, 2007 @ 8:38 pm
I once reversed in a contest and lost $300, but my reversal debris didn’t hit the table. It hit the floor behind me. Does that mean I should have won?
More “history” on how reversals are actually called… here’s a clip from a pickle contest Brian Seiken was in where he was DQ’d on a reversal call by George Shea and Commissioner Hardy…
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7508646559958556657
You can’t tell me that this was a DQ and Koby’s wasn’t a “full reversal.”
Jammin Joe said
July 5, 2007 @ 9:16 pm
Ive been in contests when this rule has been inforced. It seems that after the buzzer if the reversal is minor deductions are made if nothing hits the floor,Its considered food not eaten
frankie said (Registered February 9, 2007)
July 5, 2007 @ 9:59 pm
For years we have fought for acceptance of Competitive Eating as a legitimate sport. The non-full reversal ruling for Kobayashi demonstrates we have no rules only show. The Sheas have turned the Nathan’s contest into another Coney Freak Show. I am more disgusted with the ruling and ESPN’s editing of the reversal than my wife was watching Kobayashi eat his own puke
Bronson Fan said
July 5, 2007 @ 9:59 pm
This is a poor excuse from IFOCE.
Kevin Carr said
July 5, 2007 @ 10:03 pm
But food did hit the floor. It hit the table. It his the spectators. It hit the refs in front of him. It his EVERYTHING. Watch the video again or my screen grabs. It was a spray of water and hot dog buns.
I would understand if Koby coughed up a piece of hot dog, caught it and stuffed it back in his mouth. But there was a splash of vomit through his fingers. In what universe did this not hit the table???
mike landrich said (Registered July 4, 2007)
July 6, 2007 @ 7:45 am
The reversal at 40 seconds left was bad enough, the one at 1 second was far worse. Stuffing puke/food into his mouth for many seconds after the buzzer added to it. It was a series of potential DQs that were overlooked.
I love Kevin Ross said
July 6, 2007 @ 9:32 am
jammin joe get real you are one of their whipping boys so your agreeing with the desision doesnt mean much
Becky Dixon said
July 6, 2007 @ 10:49 am
I love Kevin Ross why dont you say that to his face.He is 6 ft 8 built like a bulldozer. All he has to do is look at you and your behind will run so fast you might trip on your blouse.
I love Kevin Ross said
July 6, 2007 @ 11:44 am
i am not denying that he is a mountain of a guy but that doesnt change anything
Jammin Joe said
July 8, 2007 @ 6:27 pm
I know its all done and said. I’m not defending anybody. I said I’ve been in contests when this rule was in force , I lost the contests. Do I like the way things are? Not always but I’ve learned that I don’t have to like everything that happens when its out of my control. All that we can do is exactly what we have been doing and hope for the best next time
Jennise said (Comment pending approval)
February 17, 2024 @ 7:41 pm
Simply desire to say your article is as astonishing.
The clarity in your post is just excellent and i can assume you are an expert on this
subject. Well with your permission let me to grab your RSS feed to keep up to date
with forthcoming post. Thanks a million and please
carry on the enjoyable work.