NPR: Even Eating 'Athletes' Can Be Sidelined by Injuries

Even Eating 'Athletes' Can Be Sidelined by Injuries

Because July 4 this year falls on a Wednesday -- a slow sports day -- all eyes will turn to a different kind of athletic event: what's been called the annual Super Bowl of eating competitions, the Nathan's Famous July 4th International Hot Dog Eating Contest.

There is much talk in competitive eating circles about the reported injury of Takeru Kobayashi, the six-time Nathan's champion. Kobayashi says he has been slowed down by arthritis in his jaw, supposedly brought on by opening his mouth so wide to stuff in all that food.

The San Jose Mercury News reports that there's suspicion that he's faking it, trying to gain an edge on his main rival, San Jose's Joey Chestnut, who recently swallowed Kobayashi's world record by eating 59 1/2 frankfurters and buns. (Kobayashi denies he's faking.)

The International Federation of Competitive Eating's site says Kobayashi is (I can't believe I'm writing this about a guy who eats hot dogs) "day to day." And speaking of Day to Day, the show plans to air an interview on the Fourth with Jason Fagone, the author of Horsemen of the Esophagus: Competitive Eating and the Big Fat American Dream. Fagone will talk about the injuries common to the sport.

I can think of a few, but this is a family blog, so I won't mention them. But I think the fact that I am actually writing about injuries suffered by "competitive eaters" is a sign of the coming apocalypse. (As long as it doesn't come before Wednesday afternoon, so we can see if Kobayashi competes after weighing in today.)

(Tom Update: Joey Chestnut seized the "Super Bowl of Eating Competition" - the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest - title from Kobayashi today, who did compete. Chestnut ate a world record 66 hotdogs in 12 minutes.

2:26 PM ET | 07- 3-2007 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

I wouldn't be too quick to dismiss him as an "athlete" with the word in quotes. Kobayashi, by any measure, is a serious athlete if you look at his training regimen. He lifts weights incessantly and consumes huge amounts of protein to increase his muscle mass while forcing his stomach to expand. It's not uncommon for him to lift his shirt at public events to show his ripped ab muscles. He doesn't look the part of a stereotypical competitive eater, but that's probably why he's been so successful.

Sent by andy carvin | 2:45 PM ET | 07-03-2007

How can any one consider competative eating a sport when millions die every year from lack of proper nutrients. No competative eating is no sport it is gluttony at it's peak and nothing more than shamless self promotion from the sponsers The 4th of July Battle

Sent by Jeremy | 11:12 AM ET | 07-04-2007

i agree, andy. i happened to catch this tv documentary on kobayashi, and he definitely trains as hard if not harder than athletes in more traditional sports. despite his loss today, it's obvious that he has a truly athletic approach when it comes to competitive eating.

Sent by natalie s. | 3:34 PM ET | 07-04-2007

The mustard-yellow belt is back in America! U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!

Sent by Mark | 10:04 AM ET | 07-05-2007

I just wish the morning news shows hadn't played Kobayashi's "reversal" (ie, upchucking) during their coverage of the event. I'm trying to have breakfast, people...

Sent by andy carvin | 10:05 AM ET | 07-05-2007

I feel sorry for the folks who can't afford to feed their families while America makes fun of them by making competitive eating a sport. How would you feel if you can't afford to feed your family? I would feel like shit.

Sent by swim | 8:17 AM ET | 07-08-2007

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