FSN South's Heather Catlin talks with Pat Bertoletti after his runner-up finish at Krystal Square Off V.
If you missed out on watching Joey Chestnut successfully defend his title at the Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship on Sunday, or you were there in person and wanted to see if your “Crazy Legs-Palin 2008″ sign made it on television, FSN South is re-airing the one-hour broadcast of Krystal Square Off V tonight at 7:00 p.m. EST. It looks like only Direct TV users will be able to watch this replay but be sure to check listings for when the Krystal Square Off is replaying on your cable provider.
Also, check out this Dutch TV news story on Krystal Square Off V and wait for when the music kicks in. Pretty funny. And watch a Slovenia TV news report on Krystal Square Off V after the jump . . .
It pays to be the Krystal Square Off V champ, with Joey Chestnut earning $20,000 for his victory on Sunday.
Hailed as the Super Bowl of competitive eating, the Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship annually fields the finest eaters in the world who all have one thing on their minds: winning the title. And while it is the championship belt and trophy they’re after, the prize money always makes a victory taste sweeter, and at Krystal Square Off V yesterday, even a defeat tasted pretty darn good.
A total of $50,000 in prize money was awarded to the 12 gurgitators, making it the largest cash purse in competitive eating history. Joey Chestnut was of course the biggest winner of the bunch, pocketing his largest cash payday ever, $20,000. Pat Bertoletti also earned the biggest prize of his career, taking away $10,000 for his runner-up finish. And even the last place finisher, Kyle Brogdon, who joined the finalist on stage at the very last minute thanks to winning The 12th Eater contest, earned a cool $500.
Below are the official payouts for the 12 finalists:
Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, San Jose, Calif. (93 Krystals) - $20,000
Pat “Deep Dish” Bertoletti, Chicago, Ill., (85 Krystals) - $10,000
Takeru Kobayashi, Tokyo, Japan, (84 Krystals) - $5,000
“Humble” Bob Shoudt, Philadelphia, Pa. (76 Krystals) - $3,000
Tim “Eater X” Janus, New York, N.Y. (64 Krystals) - $2,500
Hall “Hoover” Hunt, Jacksonville, Fla. (63 Krystals) - $2,000
Juliet “The Lovely” Lee, Germantown, Md. (55 Krystals) - $1,850
Crazy Legs Conti, New York, N.Y. (49 Krystals) - $1,500
Rich “The Locust” LeFevre, Henderson, Nev. (47 Krystals) - $1,400
Juris “Dr. Bigtime” Shibayama, Murfreesboro, Tenn. (43 Krystals) - $1,250
Eric “Badlands” Booker, Long Island, N.Y. (41 Krystals) - $1,000
Competitive eater Humble Bob Shoudt finds time to give a quick interview while waiting for his shuttle to the Krystal Square Off.
The lobby of the Sheraton Read House hotel in Chattanooga, TN, is a hive of activity at the moment as competitive eaters start working their way down to catch a shuttle to Ross’s Landing for the Krystal Square Off V. While hanging around, the eaters have found some time to get in some last minute preparations and media opportunities.
We spotted Humble Bob Shoudt out in the lobby giving a quick interview. Juris Shibayama was mingling with friends and family, and Pat Bertoletti was seen in Starbucks filling up his cooler with boiling water, which he hopes will be the perfect dipping temperature by the time he gets up on stage in about three hours.
All the eaters had to have their stage needs in their bins by 11:45, so what is done is done at this moment. The shuttle leaves at 12:15 to ferry the eaters down to the where they will meet up with the grand entrance cavalcade, the details of which still remain secret.
The competitive eater's bins are packed and ready for the trip down to the Riverfront, awaiting their opening on stage.
The KSO blog crew will be on hand to reveal the secret of the eater’s grand entrance and to provide posts and instant Twitter updates throughout this afternoon as we get closer to the big event. So, stay tuned and make sure to bookmark us and come back often.
While at an autograph signing at the Hixson Krystal, Competitive eater Patrick Bertoletti posed with a copy of the Chattanooga Times Free Press that has a picture of him, Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi on the cover
As part of the events over the Krystal Square Off V weekend, competitive eaters Joey Chestnut, Takeru Kobayashi, Patrick Bertolettiand Humble Bob Shoudt went out to the Krystal restaurant in Hixson, Tenn. to sign autographs during the “Sample Saturday” celebration, where customers get to try out Krystal menu items for free and enter to win a $100 gift card.
Fans came out to see their gustatory heroes and get their official Krystal Square Off V event guide signed by four of the best eaters in the world. Once again, both Chestnut and Kobayashi were asked how many Krystals they were planing to eat tomorrow, and both said that they were looking to set a new record and were aiming around the 110 mark. Looks like it’s going to be a close, tense rematch tomorrow. However, even if just for an hour, all four got to hang out with their fans and relax for a little before going back to mentally prepare for the pending showdown.
Here is a quick video of the autograph signing and you can check out some photos here.
Takeru Kobayashi and Joey Chestnut faced off for the media today at the official Krystal Square Off V press conference at Ross's Landing.
Krystal Square Off V officially kicked off the weekend of festivities this afternoon with a pre-event press conference held at Ross’s Landing in Chattanooga. On hand to talk to the media were competitive eatersPat Bertoletti, Takeru Kobayashi and defending champJoey Chestnut.
After being introduced by Major League Eating chairman and founder George Shea, Chestnut was asked how many Krystals he was looking to put down this year. His response: 110. Shea’s introduction of the eaters was then followed by an impassioned speech about the importance of the rematch between Chestnut and Kobayashi and a presentation of this year’s championship belt and trophy.
Chestnut and Kobayashi were then filmed and photographed by the media doing a one Krystal eat-off, or what looked like an eat-off. Kobayashi did not actually swallow his Krystal after putting into his mouth; he didn’t want to ruin his preparation for Sunday’s big event which includes keeping his stomach empty from here on out. “You tricked me,” said Chestnut after realizing his rival hadn’t eaten the Krystal.
Below is a quick video recap of the press conference and check out loads of photos from today’s press conference here.
Stay tuned for more Krystal Square Off posts and news throughout the course of the weekend and don’t forget that you can follow the KSO Twitter feed to get instant updates.
Autograph Alley at the Krystal Square Off gives competitive eating fans a chance to meet their favorite pro eaters.
We’re still around 50 hours from the start of the Krystal Square Off V World Hamburger Eating Championship, but the fun and festivities officially get underway today with the eaters’ press conference at 2:30 p.m. and activities will be held throughout the weekend to get you ready for Sunday’s big event. To make sure you have all the details on this weekend’s happenings, we’ve put together the guide below. All events are free and open to the public.
Also, be sure to follow the action on the Krystal Square Off Twitter feed. Sign up and “follow” us to get messages delivered directly to your cell phone or email.
Friday, September 26 -
2:30 p.m. - Press Conference @ Ross’s Landing - The top ranked eaters in the world, including Joey Chestnutand Takeru Kobayashi, will meet face-to-face for the official pre-contest press conference. This is Kobayashi’s first time in Chattanooga since he won Krystal Square Off III in 2006 and the first face-to-face meeting between Chestnut and Kobayashi on American soil since July 4’s hot dog eating championship in Coney Island.
Saturday, September 27 -
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. - Autograph Signing @ Krystal in Hixson, Tenn. - The world’s greatest eaters will be at the Krystal in Hixson signing autographs and taking photos with fans including, Takeru Kobayashi, Joey Chestnut, Pat Bertoletti, Humble Bob Shoudt and others. Plus, in addition to meeting these eating superstars, you can fill-up for free as the restaurant will be giving away free samples of various menu items as a part of it’s “Sample Saturday” series.
Sunday, September 28 -
9:00 a.m. - Krystal Square Off V Bicycle Poker Run begins. For more information, click here.
Noon - Krystal Square Off V Tailgating Party and Fan Fest begins at Ross’s Landing at the Chattanooga Riverfront. This year’s Fan Fest includes: Carnival Games, Free Krystal Burgers, Parade of Eaters, Autograph Alley with the eaters and The Marshall Tucker Band will take the stage.
* Also, don’t forget - registration for the Sackful Challenge and the spot of the 12th Eater will take place between noon and 1:00 p.m. This is your shot to take the stage and show your stuff - oh, and you’ll do it on live television!
2:00 p.m. - FSN South televised coverage begins and kicks off with the Sackful Challenge. Immediately following, the official 2008 Krystal Square Off V World Hamburger Eating Championship will take place.
The Krystal Square Off press conference has been the site of weigh-ins, stare downs and the official unveiling of the three-digit Krystal counter.
Before this Sunday’s Krystal Square Off V World Hamburger Eating Championship, the top three ranked eaters in the world–Joey Chestnut, Pat Bertoletti and Takeru Kobayashi–will meet face-to-face for the official pre-contest press conference. The media event will take place at 2:30 p.m. on Friday at Ross’s Landing in downtown Chattanooga.
This will be Kobayashi’s first time in Chattanooga since he won Krystal Square Off III in 2006 by eating 97 Krystals in eight minutes. This is also the first face-to-face meeting between Chestnut and Kobayashi on American soil since July 4’s hot dog eating championship in Coney Island.
During the press conference the eaters are expected to make predictions and discuss their strategies for winning the top burger title and its $20,000 cash prize. A total of $50,000 in prize money will be awarded with second place winning $10,000 and third earning $5,000.
Chestnut and Kobayashi will also discuss their rivalry, going back to when Chestnut first challenged Kobayashi at Krystal Square Off II in 2005. Chestnut, who surged to his No. 1 ranking by beating Kobayashi at hot dogs, has never beaten Kobayashi in a Krystal hamburger match-up. Chestnut does own the current world record of 103 Krystals in eight minutes, which he did at last year’s Krystal Square Off with Kobayashi absent due to a jaw injury.
Bertoletti, the No. 2 eater in the world, finished third at last year’s championship with 94 Krystals. He has beaten both Chestnut and Kobayashi in the past.
George Shea of Major League Eating will host the press conference, providing an expert’s perspective on what is being hailed the biggest event in the history of Major League Eating.
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.
Ben Griffith didn't have any luck qualifying for Krystal Square Off V but he was lucky enough to win a vacation for four to Chattanooga for this year's final.
Remember us telling you about Ben Griffith? He is the up-and-coming competitive eater from Covington, Ga., who was coming off an arm injury to train for this year’s Krystal Square Off V.
Perhaps you remember seeing him compete live on Fox’s Good Day Atlanta against Super Paul Barlow and Steve “The Pie Guy” Martin. Or maybe you even remember seeing him in Perry, Ga., and at the Gwinnett County Fair in 2006, hoping to secure a spot at the Krystal Square Off III final table.
Well, unfortunately, even despite his hard work and training this past year, Griffith was not able to secure a spot at the over-crowded Atlanta qualifying table. So his chance of seeing the Krystal Square Off V finals live and meeting Joey Chestnutand Takeru Kobayashi, his favorite competitive eating superstars, seemed slim.
But, as fate would have it, Griffith and his entire family now have perhaps the best seat in the house at this year’s World Hamburger Eating Championship Event as they were selected out of 750 entrants to receive the VIP Family Vacation Getaway to Chattanooga for the Krystal Square Off V.
Read more about how his wife heard about the contest and what Griffith wins over at Krystalist.com here.
A showdown of epic proportions is set to take place as the 2007 champion Joey Chestnut (ranked No. 1 in the world) will defend his title against three-time Krystal Square Off Champion Takeru Kobayashi.
The table is finally set for Major League Eating’s biggest event of the year: the Krystal Square Off V World Hamburger Eating Championship.
This Sunday, Sept. 28 in Chattanooga eleven of the finest eaters from around the world, including American phenom Joey Chestnut and Japan’s legendary gurgitator Takeru Kobayashi, will battle live on FSN South for the top burger title and an unprecedented $50,000 cash purse. FSN South will air a live, 60-minute special on Krystal Square Off V, including the championship event, starting at 2 p.m. EST.
This year’s winner will walk with a whopping $20,000 and the coveted Krystal Square Off Champion’s Belt and Trophy made out of crystal. The runner-up and third place finisher will each take home $10,000 and $5,000, respectively, and the remaining finalists will receive payouts ranging from $3,000 to $500.
While Chestnut received an automatic seat at this year’s final table as the defending champ, the ten other finalists had to battle it out during a seven-city qualifying circuit in which the winner in each city won a spot at the finals and the rest fought for three wild card seats. Kobayashi posted the top qualifying number this year, easily winning the Birmingham qualifier last Saturday by devouring 89 Krystals in eight-minutes. His mark betters Chestnut’s all-time qualifier record of 87 Krystals set at the trials in Tuscaloosa last year.
The 11 finalists for Krystal Square Off V are:
Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, San Jose, Calif. (Automatic seat as defending champ) Takeru Kobayashi, Tokyo, Japan (89 Krystals in Birmingham, Ala.) Pat “Deep Dish” Bertoletti, Chicago, Ill. (66 Krystals in Atlanta) Tim “Eater X” Janus, New York, N.Y. (63 Krystals in Knoxville) Hall “Hoover” Hunt, Jacksonville, Fla. (60 Krystals in Jacksonville) “Humble” Bob Shoudt, Philadelphia, Pa. (58 Krystals in Chattanooga) Rich “The Locust” LeFevre, Henderson, Nev. (52 Krystals in Memphis) Juliet “The Lovely” Lee, Germantown, Md. (51 Krystals in Nashville) Juris “Dr. Bigtime” Shibayama, Murfreesboro, Tenn. (51 Krystals in Nashville - Wild Card) Eric “Badlands” Booker, Long Island, N.Y. (51 Krystals in Nashville - Wild Card) Crazy Legs Conti, New York, N.Y. (50 Krystals in Nashville - Wild Card)
In addition to the 11 finalists, for the first time in Krystal Square Off history, one person from the crowd will be chosen on the spot to compete in the championship event, giving them the chance to compete alongside some of the best eaters in the world live on television.
Last year at Krystal Square Off IV, Joey Chestnut shocked the world and a live audience of 10,000 by eating 103 Krystals in eight minutes, shattering Takeru Kobayashi’s previous world record mark of 97 set in 2006. Due to a debilitating jaw injury, Kobayashi did not compete in last year’s final. With Kobayashi hoping to reclaim his title from Chestnut, this year’s showdown is the most hotly anticipated event in competitive eating and thousands of spectators from across the U.S. and as far away as Japan are expected to witness Krystal Square Off V in person.
Now in its fifth year, the Krystal Square Off is one of the two majors in the sport of competitive eating and the only world hamburger eating championship sanctioned by Major League Eating, the official governing body of all stomach-centric sports. An eight-minute eating contest, Krystal Square Off V is presented by the fast food icon Krystal and features the famous, fresh, hot, small, square Krystal Hamburger.
