Badlands Booker Rocks Seaport with 30.5 Hot Dogs

The South Street Seaport qualifier in New York City is traditionally the last one before Nathan's (barring any random Thai qualifiers thrown into the mix). It's reserved for civil workers of the city, so most people consider this a qualifier that "belongs" to Eric "Badlands" Booker, a conductor for the 7 train and ninth ranked eater in the world. Before this was Badlands' qualifier, it was "Hungry" Charles Hardy's, who retired from eating this year to become Commissioner for the IFOCE, and who is now more widely known as "The Godfather." A rapper, a musician, and the the man who gave power to the words "hungry and focused," Eric ate a personal best at Tuesday's qualifier and will be joining his competitive eating peers at the big table in a week.

Give us the quick lowdown on the event:

The mood was very live, upbeat, and happy, about 500 to 1000 people came out on their lunch break to the South St. Seaport to see Badlands and their other favorite city workers face off with some hot dogs hoping to win a seat at the big show! The Event was held outside adjacent to the South Street Seaport Mall on a big sound stage. George Shea was the Head Emcee along with a couple of other officials, (one on the stage and one in training) and the IFOCE Commissioner, Charles Hardy "The Godfather" was on hand as IFOCE Official Head Judge. I did an a cappella rap of "Back In The Flesh" which is track #4 off the "Hungry & Focused II - The Ingestion Engine CD" (Which is now available on iTunes!), and also did a beat box while George grabbed the mic and did a rendition of an easy listening song which caught the crowd totally off guard but thoroughly enjoyed! George called up the eaters; there were about 12 amateur eaters, ranging from police officers, firemen, EMS workers, and other vital city employees such as clerical workers and so on. Great eaters such as Eater X, and Crazy Legs Conti was also in attendance. As the contest was about to start, I could feel this was going to be a good day. I got into my zone by listening to some upbeat music on my iPod, and at the end, Frank Fumanante (I think that's how he spells his last name) ate 10 to get 3rd, John Scrafani (I think that his last name spelling, as well) ate 12 to place 2nd, and I was victorious eating 30 and 1/2 HDBs.

This is widely considered "your" qualifier. Are you ever nervous about not winning?

I always come with my game face on, I've learned from experience (Kobayashi in 2001, I was right next to him when he ate 50 for the 1st time) not to underestimate any rookies. This qualifier I was determined to win because it was the last qualifier. If I don't win this one, I don't get in.

How did this qualifier compare to ones you've done in the past? How did your performance feel in comparison to past performances?

I felt really good about this qualifier. I've trained more diligently for this one than in the past now that the competition has gotten better. Now I just have to fine tune my weak points that I've learned yesterday, and come at my very best on the 4th.

Tell us something funny or unusual that happened during this qualifier.

-There was a Group of fans from Germany visiting NYC and he came over to me and shouted "BADLANDS WE LOVE YOU IN GERMANY!" "YOU'RE MY HOT DIGGITY DOGGER!" I smiled and said, "Thanks," and gave them a CD.

-Also when I showed up, there was acCop named Reggie who competed last year that was looking hungry & focused, and when he saw me, he said, "Oh, i guess its time to go home now." I was like, "Naw man, don't be like that, anything could happen in this sport, that's the beauty of it." Then his confidence comes back and he says, "Yeah, and I ate 20 in a training run in 6 minutes"! I'm like "Wow, really?" Then he fessed up and says, "Naw, just kidding!"

Any predictions about what will happen at Coney Island? Is this the year Kobayashi will be unseated?

Kobayashi is the greatest, most scrupulous person I've ever met. He's also very resilient in the face of adversity. I admit he has his work cut out for him because this year America is focused especially Joey "Jaws" Chestnut. In my opinion, I think Joey is capable of unseating Kobayashi, but Koby will adapt accordingly. So may the best gurgitator prevail.

Last question:

Batman is reality, Superman is fantasy, So I say BATMAN.