Much like how the unsuspecting beauty of Susan Boyle’s vocal performance on “Britain’s Got Talent” captured the hearts and web clicks of millions worldwide, the video below of Takeru Kobayashi gracefully devouring 93 Krystal hamburgers like some superhuman maestro of mastication is sure to become an Internet sensation.
Relive the moment at yesterday’s Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship below. Watch for the shot of the massive crowd on hand to witness the contest at the 2:04 mark. Read about his victory here. Also, you can re-watch the broadcast of the 8-minute contest that aired live on SportSouth here. Kobayashi’s celebration at the end shows just how important the victory was for him.
Competitive eaters Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi will once again face off on Sunday for the Krystal Square Off VI World Hamburger Eating Championship in Chattanooga, Tenn.
In less than two days, they’ll face off as sworn enemies at the competitive eating table and battle it out for the biggest prize in competitive eating.
Today though, the top four-ranked eaters – Joey Chestnut, Pat Bertoletti, Takeru Kobayashi and “Humble” Bob Shoudt – met on amicable terms at the official press conference for the Krystal Square Off VI World Hamburger Eating Championship, held along the banks of the Tennessee River in Chattanooga, Tenn. The four gurgitating giants addressed the assembled media as well as traded tips and strategy among themselves for the upcoming event this Sunday, September 27, 2009.
You can follow @ksquareoff on Twitter for live updates or settle down on the couch and watch the live televised broadcast on Fox SportSouth at 2:30pm on Sunday. If you don’t get Fox SportSouth or are stuck in front of the computer, have no fear because you can watch the KSO Live Stream from the comfort of your monitor.
Watch the Krystal Square Off VI this Sunday to see Chestnut and Kobayashi - one of competitive eating's biggest rivalries - contend with the new Big Angus Burger Points and No-Dunking rule for the very first time.
The culmination of months of training, seven qualifying rounds and countless Krystal burgers finally comes to its pinnacle on Sunday, Sept. 27 when 11 competitors take to the final table for the sixth annual Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship.
The eight-minute, live-televised eating contest will feature the number one-ranked gurgitator Joey Chestnut, Japan’s legendary Takeru Kobayashi and the second-ranked eater in the world Patrick Bertoletti in addition to eight more masters of mastication. The 12th eater will be selected from the crowd to compete against the pros as they battle for the top hamburger title and a share of a record $50,000 cash purse.
This year’s Krystal Square Off VI winner will not only receive $20,000 and the coveted World Hamburger Championship Belt and Trophy made out of crystal but will also have bragging rights for establishing a new world-record in front of a live audience of 10,000 people. The runner-up and third place finalists will each take home $10,000 and $5,000, respectively, and the remaining nine will receive payouts ranging from $3,000 to $500.
And as any true competitive eating fan knows, the contest isn’t just about the money or the great-tasting Krystal Burgers – it’s about the battle. While defending Champion Joey “Jaws” Chestnut and Japanese eating sensation Takeru Kobayashi automatically receive seats into this year’s final, the remaining nine had to fight to bite. During a two-month qualifying circuit, dozens showed up, but only a select seven won a spot at the finals while the rest fought for two wild card seats.
Will the new Big Angus Burger Points and “No-Dunking” policy be too much for Chestnut and Kobayashi to handle for the first time? Will last year’s runner-up and current Qualifying-circuit leader Patrick Bertoletti steal the spotlight from the two most famous eaters in the world with a victory himself? Only time will tell.
The 11 finalists for Krystal Square Off VI are:
* Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, San Jose, Calif. (Automatic seat as defending champ)
* Takeru Kobayashi, Tokyo, Japan (Automatic seat as three-time KSO Champion)
* Pat “Deep Dish” Bertoletti, Chicago, Ill. (67 Krystal Burger Points in Chattanooga)
* “Humble” Bob Shoudt, Philadelphia, Pa. (66 Krystal Burger Points in Atlanta)
* Hall “Hoover” Hunt, Jacksonville, Fla. (65 Krystal Burger Points in Jacksonville)
* Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas, Alexandria, Va. (64 Krystal Burger Points in San Antonio)
* Tim “Eater X” Janus, New York, N.Y. (55 Krystals in Knoxville)
* Tim “Gravy” Brown, Chicago, Ill. (54 Krystals in Nashville)
* Eric “Badlands” Booker, Long Island, N.Y. (51 Krystal Burger Points in Birmingham)
* Erik “The Red” Denmark, Seattle, Wash. (55 Krystal Burger Points in San Antonio – Wild Card)
* Jim “Buffalo” Reeves, (50 Krystal Burger Points in Nashville – Wild Card)
You can catch each second of sixth annual Krystal Square Off World Championship in person this Sunday, Sept. 27 at Chattanooga’s 21st Century Waterfront (Ross’s Landing) beginning at 2 p.m. or by watching live on SportSouth. Live updates will also be available on Twitter @ksquareoff.
Seen here at the Krystal Square Off V, Kyle Brogdon from Hixson, Tenn was selected as the 12th eater and finished the competition with 10 Krystals.
In addition to the Sackful Challenge, as a part of the Krystal Square Off VI World Hamburger Eating Championship event, one lucky amateur will get to pull up to the final table to compete alongside such competitive eating giants as Joey “Jaws” Chestnut and Patrick “Deep Dish” Bertoletti as the championship‘s 12th competitor. A total combined cash purse of $50,000 will be awarded to the finalists on Sunday, including $500 for 12th place winner.
Sign-ups for “The 12th Eater” will be held from noon to 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 27. Those registering must be 18 and over and willing to sign a waiver to appear on live television. The lucky individual selected will be randomly chosen from the audience before the eight-minute eating contest begins at 2 p.m.
While the Krystal Square Off is world famous for its hamburger eating competitions featuring Major League Eatings’ best of the best, Krystal also knows a thing or two about giving amateurs a few moments of gustatory glory as well. It started with the first Krystal Square Off in 2004 where amateurs Matt Ward and Sam “Big Country” Vise came with their appetites and left with the top amateur prize at the finals in Chattanooga. It continued in 2005 with amateur Claudine Ko, a journalist, who was invited to compete in the finals, which she chronicled in Jane Magazine. And this year was no different, as five amateur hopefuls competed in each city of Krystal’s qualifying rounds, hoping to unseat the champs and take home the cash.
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.
Eric "Badlands" Booker certainly is a Krystal Lover.
We caught up with one of our favorite eaters (and rappers), Eric “Badlands” Booker, to get his thoughts on the new Krystal Square Off rules, eating techniques and a possible new Krystal-themed rap. As he points out below, all this talk of “new” might just yield a “new” winner – Badlands himself! Check out what he had to say…
We’re obviously huge fans of your Krystal Square Off rap. Are there any new Krystal-themed raps in the works? Perhaps one about the Big Angus Burgers? Or the Krystal Blitz Energy Drink?
Hey, thanks! I’m really glad you like it. I love the Krystal product and the “Square Off” is one of the highlights for me on the competitive eating circuit, so penning the rap was the least I can do. I’ve turned my laptop into a mobile recording studio, so while I’m in Birmingham, I look forward to recording a new song and video so stay tuned!
That was filmed about a month ago at the Krystal in Clarksville, TN. on Wilma Rudolph Blvd. I was visiting family there and thought it would be cool to make a video in time for the Square Off. I ordered 2 steamer packs and shot it on a tiny Flip HD camera. The staff was extremely nice to us and gave us free drinks while we waited for the Krystals!
How has your training been for this year’s Krystal Square Off? Trying out any new techniques?
My preparation for the KSO has been going well. I have the capacity and the focused mind needed, plus, I worked on technique when I was in Clarksville, so all that’s left to do is to increase my stamina by way of cardio in the gym and I should be good to go in Birmingham and ultimately, the Finals!
Are you ready for the new rules this year?
I really think the new rules will work in my favor. I may have a slight edge this year since I was active on the competitive eating circuit before the year 2000, when dunking was few and far between. Who knows?
Going into this year’s KSO what are your goals?
I would love to make it into the finals winning a qualifier and not a wild card this time, and strive to do much better than last year’s disappointing 11th-place finish. If I place in the top 6, that would be awesome!
Do you think Joey Chestnut will repeat as champion this year? Any chances for another eater besides Joey, Kobayashi or Bertoletti?
Joey Chestnut is the best there is hands down, but Bertoletti has fully adapted to the new rules, and looks like he can take it all the way. Sonya looks great too. But hey, with the new rules, you might just see ya boy Badlands win KSO VI! If I come Hungry & Focused, it could happen!
Competitive eater Hall 'Hoover' Hunt addresses the crowd prior to vacuuming down 40 Krystal hamburgers and 5 Big Angus Burgers in eight minutes at the KSO VI Jacksonville qualifier.
On a beautiful Labor Day Weekend at the Jacksonville Landing in Jacksonville, Fla., thousands of spectators gathered at the Krystal Square Off VI Jacksonville qualifier event to witness the seventh-ranked eater in the world, Hall “Hoover” Hunt, suck down 40 Krystal hamburgers and 5 Big Angus Burgers in eight minutes for a total of 65 Krystal Burger points.
The feat qualifies Hunt for the Krystal Square Off VI World Hamburger Eating Championship final table, scheduled for Sept. 27 in Chattanooga, Tenn., where he will face KSO VI Chattanooga qualifier Pat Bertoletti, KSO VI San Antonio Qualifier Sonya Thomas, along with two-time defending champ and Krystal world record holder Joey Chestnut and three-time Krystal Square Off World Champion Takeru Kobayashi with a $50,000 cash purse on the line.
Check out this video of the Jacksonville qualifier shot by Jason Isaac from the site Jacksonville Confidential:
And here is a selection of photos from Monday’s event in Jacksonville. To see more head over to the KSO VI Jacksonville photo gallery:
Hometown hero Hall Hunt takes first at Krystal Square Off VI Jacksonville Qualifying event
Jacksonville, Fla.’s hometown hero Hall Hunt cruised to victory today at the Jacksonville Landing, chomping away 40 Krystal hamburgers and 5 Big Angus Burgers in eight minutes for a total of 65 points.
The win at the third stop of the qualifying tour for the Krystal Square Off VI World Hamburger Eating Championship earns Hunt a spot at the final table on Sept. 27, held in Krystal’s hometown of Chattanooga. There, Hunt, the seventh-ranked eater in the world, will go up against two-time defending champ and Krystal world record holder Joey Chestnut, three-time Krystal Square Off World Champion Takeru Kobayashi, the top finisher from each regional qualifier and two wild card entries. On the line will be a $50,000 cash purse, the largest in competitive eating history.
Finishing in second today was Jon Bello with 36 points (11 Krystals and 5 Big Angus Burgers). In third was RJ Frasca with 35 points (10 Krystals and 5 Big Angus Burgers).
Full results below:
Hall “Hoover” Hunt – 65 Krystal Burger Points (40 Krystals, 5 Big Angus)
Jon Bello – 36 Krystal Burger Points (11 Krystals, 5 Big Angus)
Humble Bob Shoudt has taken to Twitter for a little competitive eating gamesmanship.
It’s no secret Humble Bob Shoudt’s favorite eating contest is the Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship. He’s coined it the “Super Bowl of Competitive Eating” and once claimed it’s “bigger than the Olympics.” And despite his nickname, Humble is never one to shy away from a little friendly “trash talk,” or shall we say, confident speculation ahead of competing.
This year’s no different as Humble has taken to Twitter for a little banter with last year’s Krystal Square Off runner-up Patrick Bertoletti, who just earned his seat at the final table on Sept. 27 with a victory in Chattanooga.
After Bertoletti’s win on Saturday, Humble tweeted:
@deepdisheats Congrats on your new Krystal world record. Enjoy having it while you can. It is Humble’s on 9/13/09.
Bertoletti fired back via Twitter:
@humblebob Bring it, sept 27th I will double your total
If he’s right, that would give him a Krystal score of 68, just one more than Bertoletti’s mark at the kick off qualifier. What do you think Humble Bob will do on Sept. 13 in Atlanta and who’s your pick in a heads-up match between Bertoletti and the Humble one at the Sept. 27 finals?
Follow the Krystal Square Off on Twitter @ksquareoff.
We talked with Thomas recently to see what the number-one ranked female eater had to say about her unexpected loss to eating pro Hall “Hoover” Hunt in the Jacksonville Qualifier last year and how she thinks the new rule changes will affect her strategy and the overall competition in this year’s Krystal Square Off.
What is it about the Krystal Square Off that makes it such a big event to you?
I love the way the Krystal people treat all of us eaters — like royalty! They are so kind to me that they melt my heart. And the Krystal fans are adorable.
What are your thoughts with respect to the new rules — Big Angus Burger Points and “No-Dunking?”
I am very, very pleased that Krystal made it illegal to dunk their nice, tasty burgers. Frankly, I think dunking food that is meant to be eaten dry is gross and very, very messy. I generally don’t practice speed eating, and especially not with food that gets so messy in water. It grosses me out. As far as the Krystal Big Angus Burger is concerned, though I’ve never eaten one, I look forward to trying them in competition. It adds a strategy factor that makes the contest even more interesting than it already is.
Last year it was rumored you weren’t going to compete in Krystal Square Off qualifiers. However, you made an appearance in Jacksonville only to be upset by hometown hero Hall Hunt. Your numbers still guaranteed you a spot in the KSO V finals as a Wild Card, but you didn’t accept it. Why?
First, let me say that Hall Hunt did a tremendous job in the Krystal Qualifier last year, and he well deserved the victory in Jacksonville. I was so disappointed in my total, though I didn’t practice speed-eating even one burger to prepare for reasons I’ve already stated.
Look, I’m a fast food manager and my staff and I take great pride and work long, rigorous hours in preparing orders for our customers, who love our food. I have seen Krystal burgers getting disrespected more and more every year to the point that I didn’t want to contribute to that image any more. A Krystal burger went into the water, but what came out was something that looked like it probably could have been eaten with a spoon. It made my heart so heavy to think about being a part of that. I know how I would feel if I saw people drowning the fast food items that I pour my blood, sweat and tears into preparing each and every day. There’s just something wrong with that. The least someone can do is eat our food the way it was intended to be eaten.
Patrick "Deep Dish" Bertoletti triumphantly raises his Krystal Blitz Energy Drink after winning today's KSO VI qualifier in Chattanooga.
The new rule changes and sweltering August heat in Chattanooga were no obstacle today for Patrick “Deep Dish” Bertoletti, the number two-ranked competitive eater in the world.
In front of a large, boisterous crowd along the banks of the Tennessee River, the Chicago-based speed eater easily put away 42 Krystal hamburgers and five Big Angus Burgers in eight minutes. The burger count gave him a final score of 67, which includes five points for every Big Angus Burger consumed. Most importantly, the win earned Bertoletti a seat at the final table this Sept. 27 in Chattanooga, where he’ll compete live on television for the $50,000 total cash purse and attempt to unseat Joey Chestnutas the champion.
In last year’s Atlanta qualifier, under the old rules, Bertoletti ate 66 Krystals in eight minutes.
This year competitive eaters have been forced to change their technique and strategies because of two new rule changes. First, eaters are no longer allowed to dunk their hamburgers in liquid, thus slowing their pace while eliminating “detritus.” Also new this year, every eater is given five Big Angus Burgers at the start of the competition in addition to their tray of Krystals. Each Big Angus Burger consumed adds five points to an eater’s total count.
After a round of media interviews and signing autographs for fans, we spoke with Bertoletti about today’s event. “It was really hot out here today and that always makes it tough to put up a big number but the Chattanooga crowd helped push me the full eight minutes,” said Bertoletti, who will now wait to see how the new rules affects the other pros on the circuit.
Finishing in a distant second today was Pennsylvanian pro Wild Bill Myers, with 34 Krystal Burger Points (9 Krystals, 5 Big Angus), and in third was Chattanooga’s Rick Petralia with 31 Krystal Burger Points (6 Krystals, 5 Big Angus). Super Paul Barlow, dressed in warrior paint, finished in 6th place with 26 Krystal Burger Points (1 Krystal, 5 Big Angus).
Here are the official results from today:
1. Pat Bertoletti – 67 Krystal Burger Points (42 Krystals, 5 Big Angus)
2. Wild Bill Myers – 34 Krystal Burger Points (9 Krystals, 5 Big Angus)
3. Rick Petralia – 31 Krystal Burger Points (6 Krystals, 5 Big Angus)
4. Chef Mike – 30 Krystal Burger Points (5 Krystals, 5 Big Angus)
5. Tom Knopp – 29 Krystal Burger Points (4 Krystals, 5 Big Angus)
6. Super Paul – 26 Krystal Burger Points (1 Krystal, 5 Big Angus)
7. Dale Hines – 24 Krystal Burger Points (4 Krystals, 4 Big Angus)
7. Leroy Crowder – 24 Krystal Burger Points (9 Krystals, 3 Big Angus)
9. Heath Crowder – 20 Krystal Burger Points (10 Krystals, 2 Big Angus)
10. Brian Smith – 19 Krystal Burger Points (4 Krystals, 3 Big Angus)
11 Bryan Burns – 15 Krystal Burger Points (10 Krystals, 1 Big Angus)
11 TJ Petty – 15 Krystals Burger Points (10 Krystals, 1 Big Angus)
The next qualifier for Krystal Square Off VI takes place in San Antonio on Saturday, Aug. 29. Among the eaters already confirmed for the contest include Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas and Erik “The Red” Denmark.
Stay tuned for more coverage from today’s event, including videos and photos and don’t forget to follow the Krystal Square Off VI on Twitter @KSquareOff.
