A picture of the Nathans' Famous wall of fame with Kobayashi can still be viewed on the official facebook for the restaurant chain. The wall was redone last year to remove Kobayashi's image.

February 25, 2012 at 10:36 am by ojrifkin · More posts about:Kobayashi (小林尊), Nathan's Hot Dog Contest, New York City | Permalink * Comments (12)

12 Comments »

  1. Anonymous said

    February 25, 2012 @ 5:15 pm

    That’s because Wayne Norbitz is not stupid. Many, many more people identify with Kobayashi than “the American dude who beat Kobayashi.”

  2. anonymous said

    February 26, 2012 @ 12:04 am

    That’s sick

  3. Anonymous said

    February 26, 2012 @ 4:35 am

    OJ eatfeats is sick.

  4. Hmm said (Registered November 12, 2009)

    February 26, 2012 @ 9:30 am

    Sick meaning terrific? I agree. While I agree with 5:15 pm about the second sentence, I think you may be reading too much into Nathans leaving that wall photo on their site. I think Wayne Norbitz was furious about what happened with Kobayashi, taking attention away from the contest or giving it what he thought was negative publicity. Wayne is President of Nathans and surely doesn’t oversee their website, he is like a figurehead, a powerful one for sure, perhaps the public face you see on the 4th, and he could change what is in a second, but likely he isn’t aware.

    Personally, I hope no one tells them. They clearly rushed to obliterate Kobayashi from the wall. If you look closely, they sort of cut and pasted from the old so the sizes of eaters look strange. But it makes sense if they did not even have someone take the time to re-design to remove Kobayashi. Again, I hope that no one tells them because you can also find the previous walls where some of the old school eaters are pictured. This is history, and it historical. Don Lerman, take note because you are still there. Badlands too and others.

    And yes, Kobayashi remains the most recognized competitive eater of all time. It doesn’t matter if some people think he is past, no one has surpassed him, likely no one will and come away with his name recognition. Part of that may be precisely because his name isn’t Smith or Jones or Chestnut, keeping the mystery. No matter, he is still amazing.

  5. Anonymous said

    February 26, 2012 @ 10:28 am

    It’s even exciting when you pronounce his name: KO-BYE-YA’ SHEE, as opposed to the more subdued chess’ nut.

  6. anonymous said

    February 26, 2012 @ 12:57 pm

    Hmm why don’t you include Seiken name.as a legend in the sport that should be on the wall of shame ?

  7. Anonymous said

    February 26, 2012 @ 1:42 pm

    Because Seiken needs no help in shaming himself. I don’t think there’s a level beneath him to sink to.

  8. Anonymous said

    February 26, 2012 @ 2:00 pm

    That would be sick.

  9. CDAFUTURE said

    February 26, 2012 @ 8:55 pm

    The interest in Nathans would be off the charts if they had Kobi involved. ESPN would be very pleased to have the added viewers he would bring to the to the… table. If it was not for the several qualifying contest which MLE now manipulates anyway, Nathans really does not need MLE for anything. If KOBI was to compete thats all the draw they would need to blow the ratings sky high. Not a single MLE gang member would even need to participate just a load of independants would do nicely. Then the Sheas and the MLE union will be on a quick decline in the CE world.

  10. I like KOBI said

    February 27, 2012 @ 1:51 pm

    Kobi’s pic or name on anything as far as eating goes, is a good business move. His face and name are the most recognizable in the eating world. Are they not? I have to think Nathans is pissed about MLE ruining oppertunities with the legend. I would drive a hour or 2 to see him compete, can not say that about anyone else in the sport.

    My jingles for the man.

    Everybody Eats! = Everybody Kobi!

    Kobi Time!

    Small, Medium or KOBI (bigger than super size)

    You can be a Kobi too! If it taste as good as our food!

  11. Anonymous said

    February 27, 2012 @ 5:27 pm

    Kobi remains in a galaxy by himself. No other eater has as much charisma and compared to Kobi everyone else puts me to sleep.

  12. anonymous said

    February 27, 2012 @ 7:47 pm

    Seiken included?

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