Japan’s World-Record Hot Dog Eater Injures Jaw While "Training"

By Anastacia Mott Austin

Next month’s annual July 4th Nathan’s Famous hot dog eating contest on Coney Island may be missing its former champ, Japan’s Takeru Kobayashi.

Kobayashi, 29, announced this week on his online blog that he has been diagnosed with an arthritic jaw, due to "rigorous" training in preparation for July’s contest. He can only open his mouth wide enough to fit in one finger – not 50+ hot dogs.

Kobayashi established himself as the go-to speed eater of record, winning his sixth consecutive Yellow Mustard Belt at the Coney Island contest last year by eating almost 54 hot dogs – plus buns - in just 12 minutes.

He had just begun his training for this year’s event when he experienced severe jaw pain, and received the bad news after a visit to the doctor. "My jaw refused to fight any more," wrote Kobayashi on his blog.

"I feel ashamed that I couldn’t notice the alarm bells set off by my own body," he added. "But with the goal to win another title with a new record, I couldn’t stop my training so close to the competition."

Kobayashi was already set to face stiff competition from fellow hot-dog gobbler Joey Chestnut from California, who scarfed 59 ½ dogs at a qualifying event this year for the Coney Island contest. Chestnut came in second at last year’s Nathan’s Famous event, wolfing down 52 hot dogs to Kobayashi’s near 54.

Said Chestnut of his rival, "Kobayashi is an incredible eater. Even if he has pain, he will eat right through it. There’s no way he will miss the biggest contest of the year."

"To tell the truth, I’m desperate about healing completely before the July 4th contest," wrote Kobayashi on his blog.

In addition to his titles as the reigning Mustard Belt champ for chowing hot dogs, Kobayashi also holds records in Japan for devouring cow brains and rice balls.

In 2004 Kobayashi established the United Food Fighters Organization to try to legitimize speed-eating as a genuine sport. He takes his training very seriously – no tongue (or hot dog) in cheek.

The organization issued a statement to the press in which it confirmed Kobayashi’s injury and added that he was receiving treatment from a chiropractor and still hoped to compete at the July 4th event, by "creating an environment in which he can dedicate himself to healing." The group added that it appreciated the well wishes of fans. "The contest is coming up soon, and we’d be happy if everyone kept him in their thoughts."

Richard Shea, president of the Federation of Competitive Eating, the organization behind the Coney Island contest, told reporters, "Eater safety is our top priority and we will respect whatever decision Kobayashi makes about participating in these events."

Kobayashi himself has not given up hope of being crowned champion of the chow-down for the seventh time in a row, vowing to do his best to honor the memory of his recently deceased mother.