Joey Chestnut Downs 93 Krystals To Repeat As World Hamburger Eating Champion

Chestnut is king of the Krystal as he defends his reign today against Takeru Kobayashi and all of the world's best gurgitators at the Krystal Square Off V World Hamburger Eating Championship.

American eating sensation Joey Chestnut retained his hamburger eating title today at the Krystal Square Off V World Hamburger Eating Championship in Chattanooga, Tenn. The 24-year-old from San Jose, Calif. downed 93 Krystal hamburgers in eight minutes, ten shy of his world record mark set at last year’s championship.

Billed as the highly anticipated rematch between Chestnut, the No.1-ranked eater in the world, and Japan’s speed-eating legend Takeru Kobayashi, the contest quickly became a one-man show as Chestnut jumped out to an early lead and never looked back as a crowd of 10,000 cheered him on in downtown Chattanooga.

Kobayashi, a three-time Krystal Square Off winner who missed last year’s championship due to a jaw injury, finished in a disappointing third place, eating just 84 Krystals, 13 less than he ate when he won Krystal Square Off III in 2006. Twenty-three-year-old rising star Patrick “Deep Dish” Bertoletti was the second-place spoiler, out-eating Kobayashi by just one Krystal.

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Takeru Kobayashi To Joey Chestnut: “I’m Back”

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 confident Takeru Kobayashi stopped 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.

Listen to what he said here.

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.

Krystal Square Off V Weekend Guide

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 Chestnut and 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.

Amateur Eater Wins Krystal Square Off V Vacation Getaway

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 Chestnut and 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.

*photo courtesy of the Newton Citizen

The 12th Eater: Step Up To The Big Leagues At Krystal Square Off V

Amateur eaters have always played a major role in the Krystal Square Off and this year one will be picked on the spot to compete against the pros for a share of the $50,000 cash purse.

What’s better than two minutes of fame? Howabout eight minutes competing against the world’s best competitive eaters live on FSN South?

Oh, and on top of that, pocketing a cool $500 or more.

Well, this Sunday, Sept. 28 at the Krystal Square Off V World Hamburger Eating Championship, one lucky person from the crowd will go from spectator to major league gurgitator when Krystal picks “The 12th Eater” to compete in the championship event alongside Joey Chestnut, Takeru Kobayashi, Pat Bertoletti and eight other top gustatory athletes. A total combined cash purse of $50,000 will be awarded to the finalist on Sunday, including $500 for 12th place.

Registration for The 12th Eater will be held from noon to 1:00 p.m. this Sunday on the green space located above the Ross’s Landing amphitheater on the 21st Century Waterfront in Downtown Chattanooga.  Registrants must be 18 and over and willing to sign a waiver to appear live on television. The individual will be selected from the audience immediately before the contest begins at 2:00 p.m.

While the Krystal Square Off has been a battleground for some of the biggest bouts in competitive eating, Krystal has always made local amateurs a major part of the event ever since the first Krystal Square Off in 2004 when thousands competed in qualifiers around the South and amateurs Matt Ward and Sam “Big Country” Vise moved up the ranks to make the finals in Chattanooga. In 2005, amateur hopeful Claudine Ko, a journalist, was invited to compete in the finals, which she chronicled in Jane Magazine, and over the years thousands more have gone on to compete at local events. During the qualifying tour this year, each regional event featured five amateurs chosen on the spot to go up against competitive eating pros.

The history of Krystal eating competitions dates back to the company’s opening in 1932. According to Krystal legend, the Sackful was invented after the company’s second customer, Roy Ward, claimed he could he twice as many Krystal hamburgers as French Jenkins, the chain’s first customer.  Ward did just that by eating 12 Krystal hamburgers and thus the Sackful was born.

Hungry For Two Minutes Of Fame? Sign-Up For The Krystal Sackful Challenge

The Krystal Sackful Challenge gives local eaters the chance to take the stage and put their money where their mouths are live on television.

So you may not be the next Joey Chestnut or Takeru Kobayashi, but do you and a friend have what it takes to put away a Sackful of Krystal hamburgers in two-minutes live on television? If so, get down to the Krystal Square Off V World Hamburger Eating Championship this Sunday, Sept. 28, at Chattanooga’s 21st Century Waterfront (Ross’s Landing), and register for your chance to compete live on FSN South just minutes before Chestnut, Kobayashi and the world’s top eaters take the stage.

The third annual Krystal Sackful Challenge is a two-minute eating contest to see which team of two Chattanoogans can first put away a Sackful (12) of the famous, fresh, hot, small, square Krystal hamburger. Applicants must enter as a duo, and four teams of two will be chosen at random from registering participants.

Registration for the Krystal Sackful Challenge will be held from noon to 1:00 p.m. this Sunday, on the green space located above the Ross’s Landing amphitheater.  Registrants must be 18 and over and willing to sign a waiver to appear live on television.

The contest will start at 2:00 p.m. and officially kick off FSN South’s live television broadcast of Krystal Square Off V. The winning team will receive $100 each.

Last Chance To Win A VIP Vacation Getaway To Krystal Square Off V

The beautiful Chattanooga Riverfront on the Tennessee River is the site of the Krystal Square Off and Tailgating Party.

Your chance to win a VIP vacation getaway for four to Chattanooga for the Krystal Square Off V World Hamburger Eating Championship is coming to an end. The contest officially draws to a close on Monday, Sept. 22, when the winner will be selected.

The package, courtesy of the Chattanooga Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, includes:

• Two-night, one-room luxury accommodations at the Sheraton Read House.

• One Family Access Pass for four to more than 40 attractions including: The Tennessee Aquarium, Rock City, Ruby Falls and the Imax 3D Theater.

• Four, luxury skybox seats at the Official Krystal Square Off V World Hamburger Eating Championship Event.  The premium seats include hospitality services such as catering, and you will be treated to not only the best view of the contest featuring Joey Chestnut, Takeru Kobayashi and all of the world’s best eaters, but also tons of Official Krystal Square Off V gear.

Head over to http://chattanoogafun.com/krystal to register for a chance to win before it’s too late.

Cyclists Gear Up For Krystal Square Off V Poker Run

The Krystal Chiks women's cycling team rode at this year's opening ceremony and will be in full force at the 2nd Annual Krystal Square Off Poker Run on Sunday, Sept. 28.

Before competitive eaters like Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobyashi take the stage at the Krystal Square Off V World Hamburger Eating Championship in Chattanooga on Sunday, Sept. 28, cyclists from around the region will be shifting into high gear for the second annual Krystal Square Off Poker Run presented by Scenic City Velo.

The fun, non-competitive bike ride starts at 9:00 a.m. at Ross’s Landing, “ground zero” for Krystal Square Off V, and will have cyclists pedaling from one Krystal restaurant to another as they collect playing cards and eat Krystals. Each cyclist will collect one playing card for reaching a store, plus up to three more cards for each Krystal consumed at a restaurant.  The Krystals are free with entry into the ride, and at each store a participant can receive up to four cards.

Cyclists have three hours to ride to as many Krystal restaurants as they can and collect playing cards. At noon, just as the official tailgating party for KSO V kicks off, the winner will be announced at the Riverfront based on best five card hands.

The Krystal Square Off Poker Run costs $15, and each participant receives a pair of black cycling socks with the Krystal logo emblazoned on the side of the cuff and a bike number and wrist band to show they are part of the ride.

To register for the event and for more details including a list of Krystal restaurants and distances from the Riverfront, go here.

Last year the maximum number of Krystals consumed by a rider was 18 going to ten locations and riding 40 miles in the process. It took a royal flush to win the first place prize at the end.

More info on the bicycle poker run can also be found on the Scenic City Velo website and the Krystal Chiks Women Cycling Team blog.

Show up to the poker run in style! Get your own Krystal Cycling Jersey at the Krystal.com store today.

Competitive Eating Blog Names Top Reasons To Get Excited About Krystal Square Off V

The HungrySisters kicked off their competitive eating blog a year ago with a post about Krystal Square Off IV.

We’re just 11 days away from the world’s top competitive eaters facing off in Chattanooga at the Krystal Square Off V World Hamburger Eating Championship, and popular competitive eating blog HungrySisters is listing their top six reasons to get excited.

The Hungrysisters (aka Sadie and Jamie) are Krystal Square Off veterans and know a good thing when they see–and taste–it. Among the things they’re especially pumped up about this year: The Marshall Tucker Band kicking things off at the tailgating party, the return of Takeru Kobayashi after missing last year’s championship, free delicious Krystals for everyone and the Days Inn in downtown Chatty.

The Days Inn?

Find out why they like the Days Inn and the rest of their reasons to get excited here.

For the 50,000 reasons competitive eaters are excited about this year’s Krystal Square Off go here.

Tim Janus Notches Win In Knoxville To Earn Birth In Krystal Square Off V Finals

Flanked by the "Fairest of the Fair" girls, Tim "Eater X" Janus was the fiercest of the fair today at the Krystal Square Off V Qualifier in Knoxville.

Competitive eating’s man of mystery Tim Janus was the king of the Krystal today in Knoxville, Tenn. The 31-year-old from New York, N.Y. known as “Eater X” devoured 63 of the fast food icon’s famous hamburgers in eight minutes to win the Knoxville Krystal Square Off V Qualifier. Janus’ mark shattered the previous Knoxville Qualifier record of 49 hamburgers set last year by Chip Simpson.

Janus’ victory earns him a spot at the FSN South-televised final table of the Krystal Square Off V World Hamburger Eating Championship on Sept. 28, held in Krystal’s hometown of Chattanooga. There, Janus will go up against reigning World Champion and record holder Joey Chestnut, three-time champion Takeru Kobayashi and all of the top finishers from the regional qualifiers held in cities across the South.

Never challenged the entire contest, Janus finished a baker’s dozen ahead of his closest competitor, Crazy Legs Conti, whose 50 Krystals one short of placing him in wild card contention.

Watch WBIR-TV’s coverage of today’s contest here. And for a news story and video of Crazy Legs on WBIR’s Sunday morning show just ahead of the contest click here.

Click thumbnails below for some photos from today’s event.