How Much Do You Eat?

There are many traditions associated with the Fourth of July in America. Fireworks, barbeques, and trips to the beach; they are all things that I would associate with the Fourth of July. Still, quickly gaining popularity is another form of contest that has been gaining momentum the past few years and that's the annual Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. This contest, sponsored by Major League Eating (MLE... yes they have a league for it) and has been dominated the past six years by Japanese native Takeru Kobayashi. This year marked the return of the championship to America. American Joey Chestnut, a runner-up in 2006, managed to beat Kobayashi this year. Part of the advantage to Chestnut came from the fact that Kobayashi was suffering from jaw arthritis. In an announcement that can be compared to Roger Federer announcing his withdrawl from Wimbledon for tennis elbow or Any other athlete withdrawing for injuries, the announcement came a few days before the actual contest was held.

Kobayashi had previously held the record of 53 and 3/4 hot dogs in 12 minutes but this year saw him shatter his own record by ten and yet fall to Chestnut by three dogs. Despite the arthritis in his jaw, Kobayashi still managed to finish in second place and vowed to work through his injury and return again to reclaim his title. The entire time this contest was going on, I couldn't do anything but sit in slack-jawed amazement at the fact that this contest was getting so much coverage. ESPN devoted an hour to this contest despite the fact that the actual competition lasts no more than 12 minutes. The competitors (I will never call them athletes) were all given the types of interviews and montages that are typically reserved for the Olympics. Chestnut proudly explained how he practiced for the contest by scarfing down 40 hot dogs once a week in the months leading up to the contest. I wonder if he also practiced self-inflicted chest compressions for when his heart stops.

To see these guys eat is something of a mix of wonderment and utter disgust. dipping the dogs and bread in water (to make them easier to swallow) the whole contest is a gluttons dream. Seeing as how there are so many homeless in the country, don't you think that a better contest would be to see who can distribute the most hot dogs in the least amount of time to those who need it? I grant you that some of the competitors are barely pushing 120 pounds but there are also those who have easily surpassed the safe weight limit for humans. There was one competitor who weighed in at nearly 425 pounds in 2006 and yet he lost. But I can only think about the fact that we have a growing (excuse the pun) obesity problem in this country and to promote a contest where over-eating is iconized rather than shunned just strikes me as being utterly and completely ridiculous.

We have reports of childhood obesity, heart related diseases are on the rise, cholesterol numbers are through the roof and despite it all, there is still that mad rush for lionizing those who are taking part in the contest. And this contest is by no means the only one. The MLE organizes a series of events throughout the year in which eating the most in the least amount of time is often the goal. The foods range from hot dogs, to hamburgers, to cow's brains. All of these contributing to the prestige and prominence that comes with being an eating champion. I find it disappointing to see that there was very little protest against this sort of contest. In sports like boxing and racing and such, there are protests all the time from those who say the sport is dangerous, or polluting, or not serving any purpose. I agree that most sports contests are inherently tinged with a bit of danger but I don't think it's as dangerous as watching grown adults (you have to be at least 18 years old to compete in the MLE) stuff themselves to the point of injury. I guess the follow up contest will be to see who has the most sucked out of them via angioplasty and cosmetic surgery.