Saturday, August 20, 2005

What will be next?

Guess what I saw the other day? A sport that I have never seen before. This is true, it was on ESPN. Competitive Eating! Can you believe that? Alka-Seltzer US Open of Competitive Eating. It is regulated by the I.F.O.C.E. The International Federation of Competitive Eating, Inc. supervises and regulates eating contests in their various forms throughout the world. The IFOCE helps to ensure that the sport remains safe, while also seeking to achieve objectives consistent with the public interest -- namely, creating an environment in which fans may enjoy the display of competitive eating skill. The IFOCE coordinates members and affiliates in the United States, Japan, England, Germany, Canada, Ireland, Thailand and the Ukraine, helping to promote the sport in local, national and international media. Takeru Kobayashi is the winner!

He is from Nagano, Japan, 27 years old and weighs 132 pounds. His resume includes Cow Brains: 57 (17.7 pounds) / 15 minutes; Hamburgers: Krystals: 69 Krystal Square Burgers / 8 minutes/ Nov. 13, 2004; Hot Dogs: 53 1/2 Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs and Buns / 12 minutes/ July 4, 2004; Rice Balls: 20 pounds rice balls / 30 minutes. Takeru Kobayashi is the number one eater world wide.

In the Alka-Seltzer US Open, there was over 6 lbs. of food on each of their tailgates. He won a crystal trophy and $10,000. Second place was a girl and she took home $5,000. Wow, that is some prize for eating. Just think, it could be a whole new direction to getting your child to eat! Start training them early.
I was so amazed that there is actually a sporting event for eating, that I did a little research after it was over. The once bite-sized eating contest circuit has mushroomed into nearly 200 events worldwide, up from just 45 in 2002. Gosh, where have I been? This is the first I have heard of this. How long before it becomes an Olympic sport (or is it already)? What kind of sport will be next?

18 comments:

Brooks Brown said...

hey, i randomly found your blog. i am in birmingham too and you are one of the few birminghamsters i have found out in bloggerville. this competitive eating event was something we covered at the bham news (i work there) and we talked about how amazing it was that a tiny asian dude was on the one to pack away so many weiners, where did he put them all?

Ticharu said...

More evidence that the end is nigh...
If you're looking for the next 'sport' just check the list of seven deadly sins! The next piece of human depravity is sure be on that list.

Fred said...

I guess it was a slow sports day.

I remember there was some sort of show like this on FOX (where else?) where they were eating things like an entire stick of butter. I quickly turned it off; my stomach was turning after seeing that.

Lee Ann said...

Zombie - I would have too. That is nasty!

echeevo72 - Hi! Thanks for stopping by. Always good to hear from someone in Birmingham. That was what I was so amazed at too, the winner was a little person. Not what I would have expected.

ticharu - you never know!

Fred - Yeah, that would have made me ill too. I cannot watch "Fear Factor" when they get to the eating part. It literally makes me gag.

Unknown said...

Go on http://nappyegg.blogspot.com/

Brooks Brown said...

"Don't fear the reaper"

rock on!

that is the best the best 'tag your it' song i have seen so far in this version of the game.

did you hear that recently on rock99?

Lee Ann said...

echeevo72 - I just love that song. It is one of my favorites at all times. I keep it on my computer and listen to it whenever I want. I haven't heard it on Rock99 lately, but I am sure they play it:)

Dave Morris said...

I suggest a follow-up competition, vomiting for distance. I'm betting a belly full of dogs would provide good pressure, and I think a person could get some really good loft.

Lee Ann said...

Dave - Hey there is an idea! I can't get over how they can cram that food in their mouths.

Mike - I know, I was expecting him to be huge! Surpisingly he is on the very small side.

Spinning Girl said...

Aww, sheeeat. I could've made like $7000 last Thursday when I ate my way through my whole fridge.

BadGod said...

There is a steak house in Texas that has a 72oz steak that if you can eat in one hour, you don't have to pay. I could do that.

If I could only find a pizza joint here that would pay me to eat....

BeckEye said...

I've seen some people on TV eat some nasty stuff, but it always grosses me out most when I see them eating whole sticks of butter and/or margarine. That just turns my stomach.

Lee Ann said...

spinning girl - Hi! Thanks for stopping by. Yeah, I hate it when I have days like that.

badgod - I think I have heard of that steak place. Are the steaks any good? With the pizza, would you have to eat it plain cheese or would you have it with the works?

BeckEye - I know, that is quite disgusting.

ilaiy said...

I saw that .. It was really gross .. But it was fun watching .. Want to take part in one and see how bad i fair ..

./thanks
ilaiy

Lee Ann said...

ilaiy - I am surprised so many people have heard of this sport. I wonder where I have been, I just had no idea it was even out there.

Carl Spackler said...

i have seen this on espn as well. i can't believe that guy got 10 g's for eating. they also had him on one of the espn commercials. i'm just wondering if there are any health concerns with competitive eating.

mojoala said...

only if this was a sport when I was in my twenties, I would be rich now.

My only concern is the long range damage it might do to one's stomach....

Lee Ann said...

carl - Impressive award, huh? Seems like it couldn't be too good on you in the long run.

mojoala - I think you are right. He will probably have a headstart on eating problems in his future. Just think of all the future knee problems that baseball catchers have.