Takeru Kobayashi was looking relaxed and confident during a TV interview yesterday at the Krystal restaurant on Broad Street in Chattanooga.
Wearing a Krystal Square Off V “staff” shirt and a Gringo Bandito Hot Sauce trucker cap given to him by The Offspring’s Dexter Holland, a relaxed and confidentTakeru Kobayashistopped by the Krystal restaurant on Broad Street in Chattanooga yesterday to sign autographs and get a behind-the-scenes look at how Krystals are prepared.
The three-time hamburger world champ also sat down for an interview with local CBS affiliate, WDEF-TV, and had a terse message for last year’s champ Joey Chestnut.
Chestnut, who flew into Atlanta from San Jose, Calif. last night and drove the 115-plus miles to Chattanooga, was up and at ‘em this morning, doing two interviews with WDEF starting at 6:00 a.m. (that’s 3:00 a.m. for the west coast eater). The speed-eating sensation is now off to a lunchtime interview with Don Welch on WTVC, the local ABC affiliate, and then the two eaters will meet up for the first time in Chattanooga since 2006 at today’s press conference at 2:30 p.m.
Follow today’s events on Twitter. Sign-up to “follow” us by clicking here.
By the way, here’s a little known Krystal Square Off fact that we learned yesterday. One grill is capable of steaming a maximum of 24 Krystal hamburgers (aka a “Steamer Pack), and it takes a total of eight minutes to fully prepare and cook all 24 Krystals. So, when you do the math, Chestnut and Kobayashi can consume more than four times as many Krystal hamburgers as Krystal can cook in the same amount of time. They could also devour one Steamer Pack in about 1/8th the time it would take to prepare them.
Want a shot at Chestnut and Kobayashi? Sign-up to be The 12th Eater at Sunday’s Krystal Square Off V and win at least $500.
UPDATE: WDEF-TV has posted a video of today’s news story on the match-up between Chestnut and Kobayashi at Krystal Square Off V. Noon anchor Joe Legge, who won this year’s kick-off media contest, presents the piece which includes interviews with both eaters, footage of Kobayashi at a local Krystal and footage from Krystal Square Off III and IV. Watch it here.
Finally there's a game that level's the playing field between you and Japan's Takeru Kobayashi.
Want to know how you can beat three-time world hamburger-eating championTakeru Kobayashi in a competitive eating contest? Challenge him to a game of Major League Eating: The Game on Wii.
The 30-year-old legendary gurgitator from Japan has been in Atlanta all week ahead of this Sunday’s Krystal Square Off V World Hamburger Eating Championship in Chattanooga, and while he has spent most of his time doing 100-Krystal burger training runs in preparation for his rematch against Joey Chestnut, he stopped by the Wicked PR office in Atlanta yesterday and took a stab at some virtual speed eating.
So how did he do? Let’s just say he’s much, much better at the real thing. Of course it was the first time he’s tried the popular new Wii game, and it probably would have helped if someone could explain to him in Japanese how to play rather than blurt out instructions in English as he played. Come to think of it, give Kobayashi some time and he’ll probably master it. He did in fact invent half the maneuvers you simulate during the game.
Check out the video below of Kobayashi virtually chewing, cramming and belching his way in match-up between Crazy Legs Conti and Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas. He’s playing Crazy Legs. And be sure to catch Kobayashi, Chestnut and all of competitive eating’s best as they face off at Krystal Square Off V on FSN South at 2:00 p.m. this Sunday.
Takeru Kobayashi barely broke a sweat in Birmingham as he gobbled up 89 Krystals in eight minutes.
Takeru Kobayashi put on a competitive eating clinic this past Saturday as he effortlessly downed 89 Krystal hamburgers in eight minutes at the Birmingham Krystal Square Off V Qualifier. This, by the way, was a day after he casually devoured 100 Krystals in less than eight minutes in his Birmingham hotel room.
Watch his performance from start to finish below, and if you’re one of the eaters going up against him this Sunday in Chattanooga at the Krystal Square Off V World Hamburger Eating Championship, you may want to take some notes.
Takeru Kobayashi's 89 Krystals in eight minutes in Birmingham beat Joey Chestnut's all-time Krystal Square Off qualifier record.
If anyone had any doubts about Takeru Kobayashi’s chances to reclaim his Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship title next Sunday in Chattanooga, the legendary gurgitator put them to rest Saturday.
In front of a massive Univ. of Alabama at Birmingham crowd covered in a sea of Blazer green, Kobayashi showed why he’s the sport’s legendary master of mastication as he won his seat at the finals in Chattanooga by devouring 89 Krystals in eight-minutes. His closest competitor, Steve Ramirez of Aurora, Mo., ate just 24 Krystals, about what Kobayashi gulped in the first 70 seconds of the contest.
Kobayashi’s mark is an all-time Krystal Square Off qualifier record, besting Joey Chestnut’s 87 Krystals at last year’s trials in Tuscaloosa, and it sets up a competitive eating battle for the ages when the two gustatory giants face off for the sport’s top title and its unprecedented $20,000 first place prize at Krystal Square Off V on Sunday, Sept. 28.
It’s worth noting that this was the first time Kobayashi has competed in a Krystal Square Off event since he won the championship in 2006, and he made 89 Krystals looked ridiculously easy, experimenting with technique along the way and slowing at the finish, reminiscent of Usain Bolt’s 100-meter Olympic gold medal performance in Beijing a month ago, but without the showboating. And sans the gold Pumas spikes. Kobayashi opted for some camo-colored high top Chucks instead.
And while Kobayashi’s 89 on Saturday was impressive, even more so is what he did the day before. After making the rounds with the local media on Friday, Kobayashi walked from his Birmingham hotel to the nearby Krystal restaurant and ordered up 100 Krystals, which he then gobbled down in under eight minutes. Yes, 100 Krystals. With plenty of time to spare. Considering Kobayashi will be in Krystal country all week, with lots of time to practice with the small, square hamburger that will decide it all, it’s all but certain the century mark will be broken once again–perhaps shattered, and Humble Bob Shoudt, who a few weeks ago said that no one will be near 100 Krystals this year and called Chestnut’s world record of 103 Krystals “unbeatable”, might just be eating some humble pie along with his Krystals next Sunday in Chattanooga.
For more than 250 photos from the Birmingham qualifier on Saturday, click here.
Look for a full video of the event on the blog soon. In the meantime, check out a 3-minute video of the contest on AL.com here.
Takeru Kobayashi appeared on FOX6 News this morning in Birmingham.
A video of Takeru Kobayashi appearing on FOX6 in Birmingham, Ala. this morning is now up on their website. The segment is labeled “Kobayashi Eats Everything in the Studio” and shows the Japanese-eating champ talking about winning this year and setting a new record. He also gives tips to a few of the FOX6 staff who compete in a 30-second Krystal-eating contest.
Kobayashi will compete at Blazer Village/Legion Field in Birmingham tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. Individuals interested in competing against Kobayashi can register at 12:30 for one of the five on-the-spot slots selected right before the contest.
Takeru Kobayashi will be joined by the likes of Eric "Badlands" Booker at this Saturday's Krystal Square Off qualifier in Birmingham.
The seven-city qualifying circuit for the Krystal Square Off V World Hamburger Eating Championship heads to Birmingham this Saturday to decide who will compete for an unprecedented $50,000 cash purse at this year’s World Championship in Chattanooga on September 28, which will be televised live on FSN South. Below we have some quick bites of info for you to chew on between now and then. Enjoy.
Contest Bites:
The Birmingham Qualifier will take place on Saturday, Sept. 20, at Blazer Village/Legion Field.
The 8-minute contest will start at 1:30 p.m.
Registration is now closed for Birmingham, however five amateur hopefuls will be selected on the spot to compete. Those wishing to be selected can register on site starting at Noon.
Former world champion Takeru Kobayashi is making his much-anticipated return to the Krystal Square Off by competing in the Birmingham qualifier. He has not competed in a Krystal eating contest since the 2006 Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship in Chattanooga.
After eating 51 Krystals in Nashville last Saturday, Eric “Badlands” Booker will be back at it on the Krystal qualifying circuit, this time hoping to better his number in Birmingham. He’s currently among the top three in the wild card race, but with this weekend’s two qualifiers loaded with top eaters, all gunning for those wild card spots, Badlands knows it may take a bigger number to make it to the finals on Sept. 28.
Below is a list of eaters confirmed as of today for Birmingham:
Takeru Kobayashi
Eric Booker
Paul Barlow
Andrew Lane
James Hawkins
Kip Phillips
Historical Bites:
Takeru Kobayashi’s only previous appearance at a Krystal Square Off Qualifier was in Jacksonville in 2004 when he ate 50 Krystals in eight minutes.
Kobayashi’s personal best is 97 Krystals in eight minutes, set at Krystal Square Off III.
Birmingham has hosted two Krystal Square Off qualifiers prior to this year.
In 2004, the Birmingham qualifier was held at Sloss Fright Furnace on Halloween. Bill “Pit” Pendleton won with 26. Moose Abercrombie finished in a close second with 25.
In 2005, the qualifier took place at the Greater Alabama Fall Fair where Chip “The Phenom” Simpson was victorious with 32 Krystals. Loren “Bubba” Yarbrough was the runner-up with 30.
The state of Alabama did not host a Krystal qualifier in 2006.
In 2007, the qualifier was held in Tuscaloosa before the Alabama football game. Joey Chestnut set a qualifier record that day by downing 87 Krystals in eight minutes. Tim “Gravy” Brown earned a wild card birth in the finals by eating 43 Krystals.
Takeru Kobayashi has been competitive eating's biggest star for years now and hopes to reclaim his Krystal Square Off title this Sept. 28 in Chattanooga.
He may no longer be the No. 1-ranked competitive eater in the world, but Takeru Kobayashi is still arguably the most famous, and whenever he makes the journey to the U.S., the 30-year-old legendary gurgitator is in high demand.
Such is the case in Birmingham where Kobayashi will compete Saturday in the local qualifier for the Krystal Square Off V World Hamburger Eating Championship. Kobayashi is already in town to tour the city, and beginning early tomorrow morning he will appear on three different news shows to talk about competing Saturday before the UAB vs. Alabama State football game and next week at the world hamburger eating championship in Chattanooga.
For those in the area, you can catch Kobayashi on FOX’s Good Day Alabama at 8:00 a.m. where he’ll talk to the show’s hosts and give eating tips to two from the morning show crew who will do a 30-second Krystal eating contest. Then he’s off to ABC for an interview at 11:00 a.m., and that will be followed by an appearance on FOX6 News at Noon where he’ll be interviewed and give tips to the meterologist who will do 30-second Krystal eating contest.
The KrystalSquareOff.com team will be in Birmingham from tonight until Saturday and then will head to Memphis. Keep track of the behind-the-scenes action by following the KSO Twitter feed.
Relatedly, EatFeats.com has a new poll asking what the margin of victory will be for Kobayashi at the Birmingham Qualifier. Click here to vote (scroll down on right sidebar).
Takeru Kobayashi, seen above showing his winning form at Krystal Square Off III, will compete at Legion Field in Birmingham this Saturday. Five amateurs will be picked on-the-spot to compete against him.
Originally set to take place at Blazer Village adjacent to Legion Field, the contest has been moved to inside the 71,594-capacity stadium in order to accommodate the large crowd expected for the eight-minute hamburger eating contest. The qualifier will be held on the field just prior to the kick-off of the UAB vs. Alabama State football game. Ensuring no one inside the stadium misses one single bite, the contest will also appear on the massive JumboTrons in the stadium.
The move from Blazer Village to inside Legion Field comes after word got out last week that the 30-year-old eating legend would be competing in Birmingham. As buzz surrounding his appearance began to spread around the city and specifically on the UAB campus, officials became concerned about crowd safety.
Commenting on his appearance in Birmingham, Kobayashi told KrystalSquareOff.com:
“I am very excited to compete in Birmingham, where I hope to regain my seat at the table in Chattanooga. I have great respect for the Krystal Square Off, and consider it one of the toughest challenges in the sport of competitive eating.”
In Birmingham, Kobayashi will seek to win a seat at the finals of the Krystal Square Off V World Hamburger Eating Championship, where he will look to unseat Joey Chestnut as the reigning champion. Kobayashi remains undefeated in Krystal hamburgers, winning the first three Krystal Square Offs, but he missed last year’s championship due to a jaw injury. With Kobayashi’s absence, Chestnut ate 103 Krystals last year, smashing Kobayashi’s previous world record mark of 97.
Amateur hopefuls and UAB students who’d like a shot at Kobayashi and other top competitive eaters can sign up to win one of the five on-the-spot slots awarded right before the contest this Saturday. Registration begins on-site at 12:30. Immediately prior to the contest, officials will randomly pick five amateurs to join the professionals on stage and compete in the eight-minute Krystal eating contest.
The Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship is one of the two majors in the sport of eating and is the only world hamburger eating championship sanctioned by Major League Eating, the official governing body of all stomach-centric sports. The finals of Krystal Square Off V takes place Sunday, Sept. 28 in Chattanooga and will be televised live on FSN South at 2:00 pm EST. On the line will be the Krystal Square Off World Championship Belt, the Krystal Square Off Crystal Trophy and a total of $50,000 in prize money.
UPDATE: Just heard from UAB officials that the location of the competition this Saturday may move back outside of the stadium to Blazer Village so that non-ticket holders could be a part of the event. The situation remains fluid as campus officials decide best how to manage the crowds expected. Official notification of location may not be actually confirmed until game day. The eating contest begins at 1:30 p.m. sharp local time. Registration for the 5 amateur spots in the contest begins on location at 12:30.
Takeru Kobayashi, seen above celebrating after beating Joey Chestnut at Krystal Square Off III, will storm through Birmingham, Ala. on his way to this year's championship.
But first, there’s a little technicality to get out of the way. Kobayashi needs to qualify.
While Chestnut gets an automatic birth in the finals as the defending champ, Kobayashi, a no-show at the 2007 finals due to a jaw injury, must still win his seat, and half way through the season he has yet to announce his plans for qualifying this year.
Well, today the 30-year-old eating legend confirmed with us that he will be flying in from Japan next week to compete at the regional qualifier in Birmingham, Ala. on Saturday, Sept. 20. And if he wins–and it’s safe bet he will–competitive eating fans will have the matchup they’ve been hungry for ever since the two last met in Chattanooga in 2006.
Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi last squared off over Krystals in 2006.
“As a three-time Krystal Square Off champ, we don’t think anyone would object to us granting Kobayashi a sponsor’s exemption, but he wants to go through our qualifier process like everyone else–and we’re excited he’s made that decision,” said Brad Wahl, vice president of marketing, The Krystal Company. “It’s been two years since he’s gotten his hands and mouth on Krystals, and we think everyone, including Joey, is curious to see what kind of shape he’s in just ahead of the championship on September 28.”
The rivalry between Kobayashi and Chestnut has reached Ali-Frazier proportions over the years. For more than half a decade, Kobayashi had seemed unsurpassable, winning every contest easily by double digits. But at Krystal Square Off II in 2005, a newcomer on the circuit named Joey Chestnut pushed Kobayashi like no one had ever before. The American sensation from San Jose, Calif. led for the first seven minutes of the contest and finished just five behind Kobayashi’s mark of 67 Krystals.
The contest proved to be a watershed moment as Chestnut began closing in on the sport’s biggest celebrity, finishing a mere two hot dogs behind Kobayashi at the 2006 hot dog championship and putting up a big number alongside Kobayashi at Krystal Square Off III, with Chestnut downing 91 Krystals to Kobayashi’s 97.
Then on July 4, 2007, Chestnut shocked the world by beating Kobayashi in hot dogs. Four months later, he went on to shatter Kobayashi’s hamburger world record at Krystal Square Off IV in Chattanooga by devouring 103 Krystals in eight minutes. And his dominance has shown no signs of letting up so far as he beat Kobayashi again in hot dogs on July 4, 2008 in a dramatic overtime eat-off.
Now, fans want to see if Chestnut can do what hasn’t been able to do so far, beat Kobayashi head-to-head at competitive eating’s other major, the Krystal Square Off. For Chestnut, the pressure is on. For Kobayashi, he has nothing to lose and everything to gain.
The Birmingham Krystal Square Off V Qualifier will take place next Saturday, Sept. 20, at Blazer Village at Legions Field. The contest begins at 1:30 p.m. and will feature Kobayashi, top competitive eaters and five amateurs selected on the spot to compete.
Follow the action in Birmingham and every contest this season as it happens at Twitter.com/ksquareoff.
Competitive eating phenom Takeru Kobayashi gets mobbed by fans as he takes the stage at Krystal Square Off III.
Today’s email from e-newsletter Thrillist.com includes an interview with three-time Krystal Square Off champion Takeru Kobayashi, and among the revelations is that the 30-year-old eating legend is currently 60 pounds lighter than his peak weight a year ago.
Kobayashi, who is promoting his new line of competitive eating themed t-shirts, explains:
“I injured my jaw last year, and when I lift weights I grind my teeth extensively, so I have not trained since last year. When I was at my peak, I benched 190 kilos (419lbs). But I was 60 pounds heavier than I am now.”
Kobayashi has always been in great shape but he took his penchant for fitness to a whole new level over the past year or so. Indeed, as he bulked up on muscle in 2007, he started to look more like a yoked-out bodybuilder than a top-ranked competitive eater. Now that he’s leaner, and looking more like he did back in 2006 when he ate 97 Krystals, you have to wonder if this will give him the edge he needs when he goes up against Joey Chestnut at this year’s Krystal Square Off V World Hamburger Eating Championship on Sept. 28.
Read the entire Q&A with Kobayashi here for more about his new t-shirt line and some interesting bits about
competitive eating groupies and how he smells after a contest.
