THE NAME STRIKES FEAR IN THE HEARTS OF COMPETITIVE EATERS AROUND THE WORLD. HE IS UNDEFEATED IN THE KRYSTAL SQUARE OFF, INCLUDING A VICTORY IN THE FIRST THREE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS.

KOBAYASHI WAS UNDEFEATED AND UNCHALLENGED ON AMERICAN SOIL UNTIL THE 2005 SQUARE OFF CHAMPIONSHIP. AT THAT CONTEST ROOKIE EATER JOEY CHESTNUT PUSHED KOBAYASHI, LEADING THROUGH THE FIRST SEVEN MINUTES OF THE CONTEST. KOBAYASHI RECOVERED HIS CHAMPIONSHIP FORM, PULLING AWAY FROM CHESTNUT IN THE FINAL MINUTE OF THE CONTEST TO WIN 67 KRYSTALS TO 62.

CHESTNUT PROVED TO BE AN EVEN MORE FORMIDABLE OPPONENT IN 2006. HE ATE 92 KRYSTALS, BUT KOBAYASHI REMAINED KING OF KRYSTALS BY EATING 97 KRYSTALS.

IN 2007, KOBAYASHI WAS UNABLE TO TAKE PART IN A BATTLE FOR THE AGES, AS HE MISSED A SHOT AT HIS FOURTH CONSECUTIVE SQUARE OFF TITLE DUE TO A JAW INJURY. IN HIS ABSENCE, JOEY CHESTNUT SET A NEW WORLD RECORD BY EATING 103 KRYSTALS. COMPETITIVE EATING PUNDITS CONTINUE TO SPECULATE ON HOW MANY KPBAYASHI WOULD HAVE EATEN IN THAT CONTEST.