Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Arthritis of the Jaw

Ouch.

Takeru Kobayashi, 29, had been aiming for a seventh consecutive win at the annual 4 July US hot dog eating competition on Coney Island, Brooklyn.

But this week Kobayashi, dubbed “Tsunami”, said he was in so much pain he could barely open his mouth.

The champion, who only weighs 11st 11lb (75kg), last year ate a then record 53.75 frankfurters in 12 minutes.

But Kobayashi’s hopes of defending his coveted Yellow Mustard Belt at Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest next month now look in doubt.

Earlier this week, he said on his website that his “jaw has abandoned the frontline” during his training for this year’s event.

“Already I can’t open my jaws more than just a little bit,” he wrote. “There’s no pain only if I open my mouth about enough for one finger. More than that is painful and I can’t open it.”

A specialist had diagnosed him with arthritis of the jaw, said Kobayashi, from Nagoya in Japan.

(6) Comments
Posted by Owen at 2206 hrs
Foreign Affairs

  1. No wonder he weighs so little if he’s sticking his finger in his mouth.  He should be sticking chicken fingers in there to bulk up a bit.

    Seriously, though, can you imagine having arthritis of the jaw at 29?  What a horrible thing to suffer from.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 27, 2007 at 2233 hrs


  2. ...I’m surprised more politicians don’t suffer from this ailment. smile

    Posted by Fuzz on June 27, 2007 at 2245 hrs


  3. Fuzz,
    I WISH more politicians suffered from this ailment. The reduced bloviating might even take care of that global warming thing. smile

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 28, 2007 at 1104 hrs


  4. It’s God’s punishment for Gluttony!

    I hate “eating contests”.  It’s a waste of food!

    Posted by phel on June 28, 2007 at 1335 hrs


  5. I’m a big fan. Last year’s 4th of July Nathan’s Coney Island contest was 12 minutes of edge-of-the-couch, screaming-at-the-TV high drama. American Joey Chestnutt actually led The Great Kobayashi by half a dog with two minutes to go only to be passed down the stretch, losing 54-52. Nonetheless, it was the first time The Great Kobayashi had been even mildly challenged for the Mustard Belt in six years, and many expected Chestnutt to finally bring the Belt back to its rightful home in the USA at this year’s competition. He surely will now—but it will be a hollow victory without The Great Kobayashi there.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 28, 2007 at 1416 hrs


  6. Oh No!

    Now who will save us?

    [url=“http://thevylmunkey420.imeem.com/video/T2zieuMa/kobayashi_snl_tv_funhouse/”]What Hero Is Defined
    Which He Exemplifies[/url]

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 28, 2007 at 1537 hrs


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