Bob Shoudt Dishes About Training, Eating and His Fellow Competitors
Humble Bob Shoudt is excited to put the new Krystal Square Off rules to the test this weekend at the Atlanta Qualifier.
Humble Bob Shoudt will be making his way down to Atlanta this weekend to Qualify for the Krystal Square Off VI World Hamburger Eating Championship in Chattanooga, Tenn. on Sept. 27. But he had a few things to say before his big KSO VI debut. Sounds like he’s in it to win this year. See below…
1. How has your training been for this year’s Krystal Square Off? Trying out any new techniques?
I have been doing a lot of cardio work to prepare for Krystal Square Off VI. 20 reps of the Art Museum steps (Rocky’s steps) Mon – Fri, 1 mile jog before and after. Saturday: 16 quarter mile repeats on the track, 90 seconds each, 30 seconds in between. Sunday rest.
As far as techniques, I tried 5 Big Angus Burgers and 5 Krystal Burgers at midnight off of the trunk of my rental car in Houston on Friday. I was actually spotted by superfan Gloria (a great lady who really supports CE in Houston). She said I looked good doing the BA burgers.
They are actually very big burgers and require a much different technique then the regular Krystal burger. I am sure that I will eat all five of them, just not sure when yet. I will definitely eat them all in a row though as I think it will be easier then switching back and forth.
2. Are you excited about the new rules this year? Who do you think they give an advantage to?
Right off the bat I will have to say I prefer dunking and I prefer that rules stay the same. I like to know where I stand from year to year. When rules are changed to this degree, you can no longer do that.
That said, I like the new rules. I think that Krystal is once again leading the way and breaking new ground. The no dunking rule will show who can really eat what. That coupled with a very strict debris rule will provide a more accurate assessment of the person who actually ate the most food.
When it comes down to it, rules are good, but even enforcement is better. After a contest is over it is very hard to accurately state that the glob of bun is worth one burger, two burgers or twenty burgers. With dry food, it is a lot easier to tell how much is there. It will be much easier for the judges to ensure accuracy across the whole table.
As far as an advantage it is hard to say. The Qualifiers will help show who can do what, but even those are misleading. I think Bertoletti’s number was way lower than what he will do in the Finals. I look for Hall and Sonya’s number to also go up by at least 5 when there is money on the line.
If I had to pick the one eater that will get the most benefit, I would go with Notorious B.O.B.
3. Whenever Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi are competing the focus is inevitably on them. Are you ready to change that this year? What do you think your chances are to upset the only two winners of the KSO in its five year history?
It is fine by me if those two are the center of attention. They are the two best hot dog eaters of all time. Unfortunately for those two, this is not a hot dog eating contest.
I don’t think it would be an upset if either of those two eaters did not win the Krystal Square Off VI. This year’s contest is very different from the previous ones. Neither of them will experience a Qualifier and I think that puts them at a distinct disadvantage, especially after a rule change.
The company I work for, Initech, has an office pool going on the Square Off. I would like to say that they all bet on me, but to be honest, there has been a lot of action on several other eaters. Right now Takeru and Joey are running 3rd and 5th respectively. Not sure what that means, but when in doubt follow the money.
4. After qualifying for the finals last year in the dizzying heat of Chattanooga, are you excited to compete indoors in Atlanta in air temperature controlled environments? How much does the temperature affect your performance?
I like it cool that is for sure. I picked this Qualifier because it is the best environment for me to eat in. A nice steady temperature is needed for me to maximize my performance. I usually like to stay where there is air conditioning until right before we have to eat. This past Monday I sat in a coffee shop until 10 minutes before the start of the contest. It really helps me to relax and prepare for the contest.
Some contests that is not an option. You have to just sit in the hot sun or other hot area and I can just feel all of my energy draining away. I find it hard to get my energy level back up before the contest starts. I end up eating with a lethargic feeling.
So I am getting my own air conditioned trailer if I make it to the Finals, right?
If it was up to me, we would have the Finals in the middle of November still. But it is not to be. That said, I am fine with whatever day Krystal would like to have it. They could have the Krystal Square Off VII ten minutes after this years contest and I would still be into it.
5. Despite being known as Humble Bob, you always seem to be up for a little trash talk. Who’s your favorite eater to get into it with?
As far as trash talk goes, I have probably talked more trash to Micah “Wing Kong” Collins then anyone else. He is currently the 17th ranked eater and I don’t know if I have ever had a conversation with him without talking trash.
I have also given a bunch to Joey. He is too easy a target though with that big swollen head of his. You would think he would realize that there is no dunking this year and just sit this one out to help protect his legacy. He is like the sports star that just doesn’t know when to quit. Come September 27th he will realize that he should have watched this contest on TV. For his sake it is a good thing that Krystal runs a first class contest that pays out all 12 places.
This is just between us right? You aren’t actually going to post this anywhere?
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