Competitive Eater Takeru Kobayashi Plans to Retire After One Last Hot Dog Showdown

Takeru Kobayashi is getting full. Or quite, he wants as a way to feel complete once more like standard folks.

Jun. Thirteen 2024, Published 10:38 a.m. ET

These days, competitive eating has been mockingly equated to a game in its personal right. Folks had been tuned into contests through which participants do what most folks dream of doing: eating copious amounts of food in as little time as possible. The competitive scene has evolved to incorporate enormous money prizes or even has its personal skilled group known as Major League Eating. Competitive eating has been lengthy recognized as a rising area of interest on the earth of sports and enthusiasts have Takeru Kobayashi to thank.

Born in Nagano, Japan, the competitive eater has earned the moniker of "the godfather of competitive eating," in large part because of his record-setting performances at more than a few scorching dog eating contests. Many credit him for popularizing competitive eating as a sport as he paved the way for the scene to grow in each scope and participation. But after decades of continuous eating and training, Takeru is almost about in a position to let it all digest as he enters retirement. Why did he come to a decision to retire?

Takeru Kobayashi wants to win one more scorching dog eating contest ahead of retiring for excellent.

Takeru first garnered attention for his sizeable appetite on a Japanese variety show back in 2000. Reportedly, he ate over Sixteen bowls of ramen in a single hour during the TV Champion Gluttony Championship. He would pass on to win towards his competitive eating mentor in Food Battle Club. After becoming a household name in his home nation, his insatiable stomach led him to the U.S.

He participated within the 2001 Nathan's Coney Island Hot Dog Eating Contest and ate 50 hot canines in 12 mins, shattering the previous list of approximately 25 hot dogs and atmosphere his first international checklist. He would cross uncontested at Nathan's annual match for 6 years prior to dropping to current perennial champ Joey Chestnut in a debatable unexpected demise determination again in 2009. Despite being dethroned, he would continue environment records and racking up wins at different contests and events during the years.

As of 2024, then again, Takeru has about had his fill. After more than 20 years of competitive eating, he is having a look to retire.

The announcement came in Hack Your Health: The Secrets of Your Gut, a Netflix documentary that explores gut well being and the science at the back of eating meals.

"It's all I've done for the last 20 years," Takeru stated in the documentary. He also has issues about how the competitive scene has affected his well being and appetite.

According to his wife, Maggie James, Takeru can apparently go for days with out eating and reportedly feels no appetite or fullness relating to eating steadily.

"I hear people say they're hungry and they look very happy after they've eaten," Takeru divulged. "I'm jealous of those people because I no longer feel hunger."

He hopes that retiring will permit him to enjoy the sensation of eating once more.

However, he seeks to make one ultimate success earlier than officially retiring. Takeru is about to stand off in opposition to Joey once more in Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef. The sports match will movement survive Netflix and can see Takeru try to reclaim his throne one last time from the 16-time Nathan's Hot Dog Eating champion.

"Retiring for me will only happen after I take him down one last time," Takeru boasted, in line with Tudum.

Takeru also said, "This rivalry has been brewing for a long time. Competing against Joey live on Netflix means fans all over the world can watch me knock him out."

Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef will circulation continue to exist Netflix on Sept. 2, 2024.

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