The new poll asks how you think the Wall of Fame mural at the original Nathan's will be altered to reflect that Takeru Kobayashi's departure from the IFOCE.

August 31, 2010 at 2:22 pm by ojrifkin · More posts about:Kobayashi (小林尊), Nathan's Hot Dog Contest, New York City | Permalink * Comments (34)

34 Comments »

  1. Rhonda Evans said (Registered March 6, 2008)

    August 31, 2010 @ 3:34 pm

    It was disrespectful enough eliminating Cookie and Badlands from the Nathan’s “Wall of Fame.” Taking Kobayashi’s image off the Wall would degrade Nathan’s to subterrainian levels—-whether he’s IFOCE or not.

    (The Wall is more a political reflection “Who’s Who’s in CE, as perceived by the IFOCE, the governing theme for which is “What have you done for me lately?”)

    Anyway, the months leading up to next year’s event will serve as a business/PR IQ test for both Nathan’s and MLE. Any organization with a dram of intelligence would do what it takes to ensure Koby competes.

    But nothing would surprise me, based on what I’ve seen this past year.

  2. Mega Munch said

    August 31, 2010 @ 10:00 pm

    Koby’s image should remain because he is an unforgetable part of Nathans history. That’s what the wall is there for — to remind the general public what Nathans is all about. Past and present eaters should be featured regardless of their current IFOCE status.

  3. NReda said

    August 31, 2010 @ 10:01 pm

    Some people up there might pretend that Kobayashi never existed. It’s hard to accept that, because we’re talking about someone who doubled the Nathan’s record and proved that human eating ability could go to another level.

  4. Anonymous said

    August 31, 2010 @ 10:35 pm

    THEY SHOULD REPLACE KOBAYASHI’S IMAGE AND PUT THE ‘WRECKING BALL’ INSTEAD……………………………………………………….

  5. Anonymous said

    August 31, 2010 @ 10:52 pm

    They should replace Koby with Kevin Lipsitz and his dog hat.

  6. Truth Seeker said

    August 31, 2010 @ 11:27 pm

    Anonymous @ 10:35 pm. Good idea! Call the shea brothers!

  7. The future said

    September 1, 2010 @ 12:42 am

    It’s time for another big Hot dog brand to grab Kobi and run with it.Nathans could be on the way out.This could be BIG!

  8. As It Is said

    September 1, 2010 @ 6:17 am

    Only six people should be on the Wall;

    Current belt holder
    Wayne
    George
    Rich
    Legs
    Tim

    Screwing around putting also rans up there is demeaning to MLE’ Nathan’s and CE itself.

  9. Don "Moses''Lerman said

    September 1, 2010 @ 8:52 am

    Ed jarvis , kevin Lipsitz, And myself took off all responsibilities and traveled promoting Nathans around the country it was us not Kobayashi that made the Nathans contest what it is today in 2001 we enterted every contest( I won 7 out of 10 , plus th ConeyIsland Promo with 5 hdbsin 50 sec) . we 3 deserve to be reinstated, an don’t anybody ever forget that!

  10. anonymous said

    September 1, 2010 @ 9:36 am

    Badlands could care less about the wall. When the Sheas tell him his rapping is no longer required on stage that will hit him hard

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

    September 1, 2010 @ 11:36 am

    Don really, that is a bit too much. Take all the credit you want but do not tell us that Kobayashi didn’t put Nathan’s on the international map. Badlands should care about being on the wall because he is very much a part of CE, eating and entertaining. I think he does care but doesn’t whine and got over it in order to keep going forward and be positive and upbeat. Everyone could use a good dose of Badlands philosophy and actions.

  12. Don "Moses''Lerman said

    September 1, 2010 @ 2:40 pm

    Stallion Italian listen I took off the summer and mad e 2 documentarys for Nathans so don’t give me no crap

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

    September 1, 2010 @ 3:27 pm

    Don, every time you post something like this, you are reducing your reputation. Didn’t you like doing those documentaries? People have a hard time understanding what you really want. Maybe even you aren’t sure. You should stop asking for respect or recognition and just sit back and enjoy the things you accomplished and the recognition you have received. I support you fully in that.

  14. Rhonda Evans said (Registered March 6, 2008)

    September 1, 2010 @ 3:30 pm

    Don, to each his (or her) own. As for me, Badlands, Cookie, The Godfather, KK, Coonie, GJoe (yeah him too), and BB are the early pioneers of CE, who made an array of substantial contributions. via countless appearances, in-the-money finishes, wins, competitive spirit, promoting camaraderie and sportsmanship, entertainment, and/or promotion of CE through the media. That, Koby cannot claim.

    (If I missed a name or two above, forgive me, as my memory is not as sharp as the degree to which my drop-dead gorgeous looks turn heads … of older men, at least.)

    But it was Takeru Kobayashi who put the exclamation point on CE like no one before or since. He is the most talented, recognized competitive eater who has ever walked the planet.

    It’s not even fair to up-and-coming eaters to use him as a measuring stick with which to base potential, because Koby’s standard of talent is just too high—-virtually unachieveble.

    Try to picture competitive eating w/o him ever being a part of it. I can and it would be a tad boring.

  15. Shutup said

    September 1, 2010 @ 6:02 pm

    stallion you are full of crap. Why is Don reducing his reputation? He along with Cookie and Kevin dropped all of their responsibilities and hit the road in quest of the mustard yellow belt. They were not compensated for their time. Krazy Kevin had to negotiate with the owner of J&R to pay for his wife dinner. You are the same ass that belittles Beautifulbrian whenever he posts on this site.and you enjoy playing the part of a shrink when it is you that requires mental help and nobody else. “People have a hard time understanding what you really want” Who are the people? You thats who! Who are you to pass judgement on anyone using the moniker stallion italian . We know who you are but if i reveal your name OJ wont post this comment .

  16. Don "Moses''Lerman said

    September 1, 2010 @ 6:34 pm

    First of all I don’t want to comment anymore on anonymous posters. I want the recognition as one of the greatest eater to walk the earth and pioneered the way even for assholes like you,Stallion Italian to compete , I’m sure that your and eater ? aren’t you?

  17. Not a Fraud said

    September 1, 2010 @ 9:23 pm

    Rhonda..you ARE George Shea. If you can prove otherwise, please do!

  18. NReda said

    September 1, 2010 @ 9:39 pm

    Going back to the issue of “another big hot dog brand” to rival Nathan’s, I wonder who that could be. Could we see a Farmer John World Championship?

  19. Anonymous said

    September 1, 2010 @ 10:44 pm

    Who the hell is Rhonda: George Shea, Rich Shea, Brian Seiken, Tim Janus, Sonya Thomas, Crazy Legs Conti, his mother, Don Lerman? Does Sonya work days, nights, or at all? I thought she quit? Could Rhonda just be Rhonda, or is that too much, or does anyone really care?

  20. Anonymous said

    September 1, 2010 @ 10:57 pm

    Rhonda is Pat Bertoletti!

  21. Rhonda is not Rhonda said

    September 1, 2010 @ 11:34 pm

    No anonymous Rhonda cannot just be Rhonda. It would shock everyone that visits this site frequently if Rhonda was just a die hard fanatic fan. She knows too much about everyone and everything relating to competitive eating. Her grammar and punctuation is virtually flawless. Not even a typo error. Check out Sonya site the similarites in text and format are uncanny. Sonya and the Shea bros are the most logical choices but doubt she is any of the other names mentioned

  22. Anonymous said

    September 2, 2010 @ 5:18 am

    Rhinda uses profanity. I don’t ever remember Sonya using profanity on her site. Maybe she does in person.

  23. Anonymous said

    September 2, 2010 @ 9:01 am

    Lots of hot air winners in the Rhonda guessing game. Ridiculous to think any Shea would bother to spend one iota of time on this website not to mention being positive about GJoe and so many others. Sonya would have to have multiple personalities to be Rhonda. With all due respect, Sonya could not be writing her own website. It may have her ideas and feelings, but her English capabilities are simply not of that level. The mysterious Hank may well be the person who not only does her website but he could be oj as well. Rhonda? All of her information can be found by paying attention and reading without ever having met a single eater. Might as well speculate, everyone else does. In the end, it doesn’t matter, does it? We owe all a big thank you for keeping us informed and entertained.

  24. anonymous said

    September 2, 2010 @ 9:35 am

    Look Rona Conti, Rhonda Evans, Sonya Thomas there is some correlation with all three. Don’t ask how i just feel it

  25. RockStar1211 said (Registered August 29, 2010)

    September 2, 2010 @ 9:49 am

    if there is going to be another hot dog brand to beat nathans. i would bet it would be hebrew national

  26. gavonne said

    September 2, 2010 @ 10:18 am

    I just signed a mega-deal with the Sheas that will not only put me on the wall,but bring a whole new dimension to MLE as I embark on a comedic quest to win a contest or set a record before I die, or am carted away…& then I woke up.WOW!WHAT A DREAM!!!Now to make it come true…

  27. Steakbellie said (Registered August 11, 2006)

    September 2, 2010 @ 10:25 am

    Pat Bertoletti has never been seen without his Rum & Coke.

  28. Rhonda Evans said (Registered March 6, 2008)

    September 2, 2010 @ 10:43 am

    With all the topical threads on this site, it’s amazing how one of the hottest topics is me.

    Thanks guys, I’m touched (in more ways than one, some would say).

  29. anonymous said

    September 2, 2010 @ 11:03 am

    If the rich or george shea sit at their desks with the straw hats and sportjacket commenting as rhonda evans most of the day , then the commercial real estate market must be real slow or both need a life

  30. SuperPaulBBBBMBBBarlow said

    September 2, 2010 @ 12:36 pm

    I think Rhonda Evans is really Ruwanda Evans, a hard-core African Competitive Eating Fan from Ethiopia, who, being unable to fill her impoverished belly, revels in the glory of those who can.

    My second choice is Robert Evans, a travestite eating fan, who prefers to go by his cross-dressing first name.

    Third choice – Vince Evans, former quarterback, feeling rejected by Pro Football, has now turned to competitive eating as his favorite sport, but doesn’t want his former employer to find out his real name, for fear of being sacked.

  31. Anonymous said

    September 2, 2010 @ 1:40 pm

    Not very funny to start with people who are starving. Second choice isn’t great either. Not for the sensitive but maybe it will fly in open mic in some areas of the country.

  32. NReda said

    September 2, 2010 @ 2:09 pm

    A Hebrew National championship would be interesting, considering that their hot dogs are close in size to Nathan’s dogs. There would be no end of people comparing the two contests.

  33. Rhonda Evans said (Registered March 6, 2008)

    September 2, 2010 @ 2:28 pm

    That’s funny Paul. 🙂

  34. Anonymous said

    September 2, 2010 @ 6:32 pm

    Connection between the three is simple, two are huge fans of Sonya, she appreciates her fans. That’s it.

  35. zingabet said (Comment pending approval)

    February 1, 2023 @ 12:00 pm

    Zingabet eri?im zingabet giri? için do?ru adres zingabet giri? bloglar?d?r.

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