Japanese man wins eating competition

BEIJING, July 29 -- A small but enthusiastic Singapore crowd got its first

taste of professional eating as the sport's two titans, Takeru Kobayashi and

Joey "Jaws" Chestnut, made their debut in the city-state.

About 300 competitive eating fans roared as local favorite Kobayashi of

Japan slammed home 5 kg of grilled Singaporean chicken "satay" in 12 minutes in

Sunday's contest. California's Chestnut was a distant second, munching down 4

kg.

"I've followed Kobayashi's career on YouTube, so it's really exciting to

see him in person," said Ricky Chen, a 31-year-old graphic designer.

The professional eating circuit, known as Major League Eating, was

organizing its first contest in Asia, one of about 80 competitions a year in

which "gurgatators" wolf down foods such as grits, sticks of butter, oysters,

jalapenos and cow brains, all the while hoping to avoid the dreaded "reversal."

At 173 cm tall and 73 kg, Kobayashi is something of a legend in the

competitive eating world, winning the Nathan's hot-dog eating contest in New

York for 6 years running until Chestnut beat him last year and again July 4.

"During a contest, I get in a zone where it's just me and the food,"

Kobayashi said after the match, with pea-green chicken sauce splattered all over

his black T-shirt. "Sometimes, it's like I'm in a trance."

The blue-haired, boyish-looking 30-year-old, who took home about $200,000

in prize money and appearance fees last year, laughed and blushed when asked

about his sex symbol status among legions of female fans in his homeland.

"It's very embarrassing. I don't think I'm a sex symbol," Kobayashi said.

"But sometimes women send me their clothing."

Chestnut, 24, said he could have performed better.

"The sauce was sweeter than I expected, and that slowed me," said Chestnut,

who once ate 66 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes. "I couldn't find my rhythm. And

Kobayashi is a machine."

The two eaters, who did not compete for any prize money at the Singapore

contest, signed autographs and took pictures before and after the event.

Chestnut, an engineering student at San Jose State, said he made about

$100,000 last year competing in about 20 contests.

"I'm just a regular guy. I don't have any groupies yet," said Chestnut, who

is 188 centimeters tall and 98 kilograms. "Usually I get guys in their 40s

trying to challenge and attractive place to live.

The event was part of the Singapore Food Festival, which sought to present

unique dining experiences with a host of interactive events," the Singapore

Tourism Board said in a statement.

"Singapore rarely gets events like this so I think it's good," said Rachel

Tan, a 21-year-old student. "It's entertaining, but I also feel a little sick

after watching that."

At least one Singaporean was left ecstatic by the event.

Rosalind Sim, 52, won the amateur undercard by wolfing down two Carl's Jr.

double cheeseburgers in 12 minutes.

The advertising salesperson was awarded a gift certificate for $368 at

Swensen's ice cream restaurant. "I can't believe I won," she said. "I eat for

fun."

(Source: China Daily/Agencies)