Takeru Kobayashi On Probation

Photo via the AP

Hungry for some more details about the most important competitive eating court case in the history of the sport? CNN reports that Takeru Kobayashi may be a free man after his court hearing on Thursday, but that's only provided he stays out of trouble for the next six months. Not too bad considering he was charged with resisting arrest, trespassing, obstruction of governmental administration and disorderly conduct after storming the stage at this year's annual Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Competition on Coney Island. The deal is sitting well with Kobayashi, who declared, "I am very happy. It was a more nervous victory than winning the eating contest." He'll be celebrating with a pizza eating contest in Ontario, Canada later this month.

His competitors aren't speaking out against him, however. TMZ spoke to Patrick "Deep Dish" Bertoletti, who says, "I think the charges against [Kobayashi] were somewhat legit, and he should have been convicted on at least the resisting arrest charges."

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By Jen Carlson in Food on August 6, 2010 5:39 PM

Comments [rss]

John L

"he was charged with resisting arrest, trespassing, obstruction of governmental administration and disorderly conduct" these cops with all these bullshit trumped up charges that get dismissed. I'd like to see a police officer get in trouble for having the most charges dismissed, but that wouldn't work with the quota system in place.

Dr. Hotdog

He should never have been arrested, he should have been allowed to eat without a contract, Kobayashi elevated the competition at Coney Island, he is a Master of Gastronomy, and should be hailed as the Messiah of Competitive Eating.

JacqueMehoff

hey, he's a good looking guy without that Japan themed headband they probably make him wear. yeah, I'm serious.

JenChungsBaby

He got an ACD. That's a far cry from being on probation.

jaycjay

Yep, not probation. Maybe in the generic sense of the word ("subjection of an individual to a period of testing and trial to ascertain fitness", as Webster puts it), but not in the legal sense. Probation can come only after conviction. This is an "adjournment in contemplation of dismissal," which means the case is adjourned or delayed for six months, and if he's not back in the system for something else during that period it will be dismissed.

For now, it's just on hold. There's been no conviction, no acquittal, no probation. Just waiting.