Tag: Fourth Of July

Why Kobayashi no longer competes in the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

Kobayashi hasn’t competed in the annual Fourth of July contest since 2009.

NOTE: This post is from 2022.

Once a staple of the annual Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest — from his record-setting debut in 2001 until his final competition over a decade ago —  Takeru Kobayashi has since faded from the consciousness of fans of the event (or people who watch because what else is on TV?).

It’s easy to assume that someone who has held over a dozen competitive eating records and once won the Nathan’s contest six consecutive times simply got tired of shoving damp buns and franks down his throat and that’s why he hasn’t participated for so long. But his absence from the contest since 2010 is actually a lot deeper.

According to a New York Times report, Kobayashi had a dispute with Major League Eating (MLE), the sanctioning body of the Nathan’s Famous contest and others, over the exclusivity of its contracts. They reportedly restricted MLE signees from earning money outside of MLE and competing in non-MLE events, and gave MLE “exclusive representative” rights to negotiate revenue opportunities — of which it would earn 20% — on behalf of its performers.

Kobayashi’s refusal to sign the contract in 2010 resulted in his not being able to participate in MLE contests, including the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July contest.

That didn’t stop him from showing up as a spectator in 2010, but that’s when things really got real. Apparently spurred by chants from those in attendance, Kobayashi jumped on stage, hoping officials would allow him to compete. Instead he was arrested, never to take a Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest stage again.

So there you have it. That’s why you haven’t seen or heard from Kobayashi for so long and probably shouldn’t expect to see him this Fourth of July. But hey, at least there’s still current world record holder Joey Chestnut to look forward to making you gag.

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Celebrate the Fourth of July at the country’s most beautiful places

Enjoy the great outdoors.

Fireworks, block parties, and barbecuing are essential Fourth of July activities for many communities throughout the United States. While nothing beats the feel-good fun of these traditional celebrations, sometimes outdoorsy folks want to shake up their holiday schedules. If you want to get active this Fourth of July, try going on an adventure at some of the country’s most beautiful places.

Outdoors Wire is no stranger to covering stunning destinations. In the U.S., there are seemingly endless hidden gems to explore. Kayakers can paddle across scenic rivers, hikers can trek through colorful canyons, and astronomers can gaze up at the stars. This Fourth of July, choose your own adventure with this round-up of 10 travel guides that show off America’s beauty.

Glacier National Park’s most mesmerizing sights explained in 8 photos

The best swimming holes in all 50 states

All 50 of the best state parks in the United States

Here are the top 7 sights to see at Grand Canyon National Park

8 natural wonders in the US that you’ve probably never heard of

These are 8 of the best places to go fishing in the United States

Stunning sights to see at Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

10 luxurious US hot springs resorts you’ll really want to visit

Plan your Blue Ridge Parkway road trip around these 9 gorgeous spots

Explore the most breathtaking sights at New River Gorge National Park

The strange origins of Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest isn’t exactly the one that is advertised

The story’s origin is as confusing as the tradition itself.

The Fourth of July means a lot of things to a lot of different people, but for many, it is a holiday associated with eating hot dogs.

That is because Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest has become widely associated with Independence Day. Who isn’t entertained and mesmerized by legends like Joey Chestnut eating more than 70 hot dogs in ten minutes?

But the story’s origin is as confusing as the tradition itself.

The contest is said to have begun in 1916, the same year that Nathan Handwerker opened his iconic hot dog restaurant in Coney Island. More via Nathan’s Franks:

“Legend has it that on July 4, 1916, four immigrants gathered at the very first Nathan’s Famous hot dog stand in Coney Island and made eating contest history. As the story goes, they were competing to see who was the most patriotic. How did they determine the winner? With a hot dog-eating contest, of course!”

That sounds all fine and good, of course. However, that story is simply a “legend” and nothing more than that.

In fact, it is reportedly one that is fabricated by “press agents” hired by Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs named Max Rosey and Mortimer Matz.

Here are more details from an article published in 2016, via The New York Times:

“[Rosey and Matz] also dreamed up the hot dog eating contest in the early 1970s, although they insisted, and the press gullibly reported, that they were reviving a tradition that dated to 1916 … More recently, their publicity protégés, George and Richard Shea, embellished the creation myth, attributing it to an argument between immigrants overheard by Nathan Handwerker on the Fourth of July, about who was the most patriotic American among them.”

In reality, the first records of the contest existing at all did not come until 1967 and 1972. There is no record of a winner during a competition held on July 4 until 1974.

The contest didn’t become an officially sanctioned event until 1997. That is when the Shea brothers, who took over publicity for Nathan’s in the mid-1990s, founded the International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE) and Major League Eating (MLE).

No matter the origins, however, the contest’s popularity is undeniable.

Approximately 35,000 fans annually gather on Coney Island to watch the events in person and, per Nathan’s site, more than millions watch at home via the ESPN telecast.

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Seahawks QB Drew Lock stays classy after getting ripped by U.S. Open on Twitter

Seahawks Twitter was in the news over the holiday weekend for doing what it does best: embarassing decent, normal Seahawks fans all over the world.

Seahawks Twitter was in the news over the holiday weekend for doing what it does best: embarassing decent, normal Seahawks fans all over the world.

Responding to a tweet by the U.S. Open, one fan attempted to roast tennis by claiming it’s not a real sport, only to get dunked on by a Twitter intern who suggested he won’t enjoy watching Drew Lock play this year.

The conversation continued for some time, with Seahawks star D.K. Metcalf stopping in for an appearance at one point.

Yesterday Lock himself got into the game, but he kept it classy – wishing everyone a happy Fourth of July, especially the intern working for the U.S. Open.

A lot goes into playing quarterback well at this level and Lock still has work to do. At least he seems to be able to let the negative attention that comes with the job roll off his back.

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The strategic reason why Nathan’s Hot Dog eating contestants dunk the buns in water

Dunking the buns in water is gross, but there’s a point to it.

The Fourth of July means freedom, summer and — above all else — eating ridiculous amounts of grilled food. One of the mainstays of Independence Day is the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest where competitive eaters flock to Coney Island to consume gut-bursting numbers of hot dogs and buns.

You may have noticed something that ups the grossness of the entire production: the contestants will dunk the hot dog buns in water before shoving them down their gullets.

If you’re anything like me, the idea of consuming not just wet bread but soggy buns makes you want to immediately dry heave. But, there’s a point behind the madness.

By dousing the carb portion of the contest in water, it makes them easier to eat. The water is simply a lubricant to help get the buns down faster.

Makes sense, but still. Gross.

Miki Sodu ate 40 hot dogs and buns in the women’s competition, returning from her one-year absence (she was pregnant during the 2021 eat-off) with a vengeance.

The men eat at noon on ESPNNews.

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