July 2, 2008
Kobayashi Returns as "Sponsor Exempt" Contestant
After last year's Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest, six-time world hot-dog-eating champ Takeru Kobayashi declared: "I will definitely beat him next year." His opponent, Joey Chestnut, had won by eating 66 HDB (hot dogs and buns) to Kobayashi's 63. Despite not earning his way in to the contest as a regional qualifier, last year's loser be on hand this year in an attempt to earn back the title.
The Brooklyn Paper (jokingly) says Kobayashi doesn't deserve a shot at the coveted Mustard Yellow International Belt, and calls Major League Eating out for allowing him in through "sponsor exemption." They say the MLE is trying to spin the whole thing, even recalling a 1929 contest in which a contestant was allowed in through a "sponsor exemption." MLE chairman George Shea noted that "Nathan’s has given sponsor’s exemptions in the past, just as, say, Tiger Woods is not asked to qualify for every tournament.”
Like it or not, this Kobayashi kid is back at least one more time! But will his severe jawthritis return, forcing him to eat his words as well as a non-title-winning amount of HDBs? The first hot dog goes down at noon this Friday.
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I'm fairly certain the majority of people attending the event couldn't care less if Kobayashi is eligible or not according to the MLE - they just want to see the little fucker eat a shitload of hotdogs. Also, if there's no serious competitor for Chesnut, which obviously there isn't, then why not? Makes for a better spectacle.
"There are rules Donny - this isn't 'Nam."
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What, no live blogging from Tien this year?
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The mustard-colored belt will return to its rightful owner this year. Kobayashi forever!!
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gross
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chestnut is gonna get his chestnuts cracked this year now that kobayashi is back in action. he knows it, you know it.
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Gambatte, Kobayashi-san! \o/
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Aww, I'm glad he gets to compete.
I was lucky enough to meet him briefly last year, and he's really nice. I'll be cheering for him!
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I've been trying to break the record by eating 67 hot dogs. I started two months ago and am up to 12. They should make all the contestants eat them with mustard, sauerkraut and onions like I do because otherwise it's unfair.
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why dont you effs explain what the sponsor exempt thing is? does it mean you can't compete if you have sponsors? why don't you effin ever explain anything.
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I think sponsor exemptions are really common in sports. Not that this is necessarily a sport. But golf does it.