June 2007 Archives

The last HDB has been consumed in the fight to the Nathan's finals in a few days. "Humble" Bob Shoudt ate 32 HDBs to grab the QVC qualifier yesterday, and rookie Arturo Rios took the Civil Service qualifier on Wednesday. Rios's win caused a bit of a disturbance, since traditionally the Civil Service qualifier has been reserved for only civil servants, and Rios--a driver for the Daily News--didn't exactly fall into that category. Additionally, the second place winner, Allen "The Shredder" Goldstein, finished with 26 HBDs in what was his third qualifier, which made him the overall wild card winner.

If Rios hadn't competed, Goldstein would have won outright, leaving the wild card slot open for Tim "Gravy" Brown, who also had a strong showing across three qualifiers. While everyone was happy to see Goldstein and Rios advance, there was a general grumbling about the apparent bending of the rules. Someone must have been listening, because the IFOCE announced they would be sending both Goldstein and Rios to the finals.

With Kobayashi still insisting he'll be there to eat off against America's best on the 4th, the final slot at the table went to someone new: a giant from India! Apparently, the 7'8" P. Theyagarjan is "the eating champion of India," holding titles in chicken tiki masala and hot dogs. Uhhh....weird! Of course, how much of this is hype and how much is the real deal will be revealed on th 4th.

This reporter--still pending Bunnette status confirmation--is heading to New York on Tuesday and will be faithfully bringing you competition stories in the days to come.

The rematch between Joey Chestnut and the Japanese champ, Takeru Kobayashi--the one that has been hyped since the closing minutes of last year's hot dog competition--may not happen this year. First, rumors were swirling that Kobayashi might not compete due to the recent passing of his mother. Then came word that the eating athlete had contracted some type of jaw arthritis. Though he seems determined to get better in time for the competitions, he admits that it hurts him to open his jaw more than a just a little bit, and likens the condition to tennis elbow.

The competitive eating community's reaction has been mixed about this announcement. While some have offered sympathy and concern for the star, others are speculating that it is a manufactured diversion, an excuse for Kobayashi not to beat Joey. Of course, this latter thinking is most likely the result of a shocked community. Though many people have been eagerly anticipating the championship that would bring the Mustard Yellow Belt back to the States, the thought that Joey would do it without a fight to the finish with Kobayashi at his side has everyone down.

This new comes on the tail end of what was a rather exciting weekend in competitive eating. Pat Philbin ("Pat from Moonachie") won the Molly Pitcher qualifier for the second year in a row, with 24 HDBs. Allen "The Shredder" Goldstein, who made it to the finals last year, was hot on his trail, but couldn't catch up enough to pull ahead for the win.

The Atlanta Zoo qualifier held a surprise for most fans when competitive eating bad boy Dale Boone won with 21 HDBs. Boone is a curious character, who was banned from the IFOCE and then reinstated. He spent time in India before returning to the states to continue his eating career. This will be his first trip to the big table since 2004.

On the west coast, Rich LeFevre finally won his qualifier in San Francisco. After being beaten out in two other qualifiers by Pat and Joey, despite putting up record numbers, this last qualifier must come as a relief to the 64-year-old eating pro. With his traveling and winning finally behind him, he can go into this final week with his mind at ease.

Back on the east coast, there was a departure from hot dogs, as handfuls of amateur and pro eaters competed with shoo fly pie (a heavy molasses-based pie with a crumb topping). The title for this sweet concoction once belonged to Tim "Eater X" Janus, but it was taken from him last year by "Humble" Bob Shoudt. This year, Bob would have to defer to Pat Bertoletti, who smashed the previous record of 9.25 pounds of pie by almost 2 pounds to win with an astounding 11.1 pounds.

And in what would certainly be the weirdest competition of the weekend (if not the year), several top eaters gobbled up pigs' feet in Rutherford, NJ. Arturo "The Natural" Rios won with 2.875 pounds of the cold trotters, and Erik "The Red" Denmark followed with 1.875 pounds for second place. Crazy Legs came in third with 1.187, and Pat Philbin--who was coerced up on stage--picked at a couple, somewhat unwillingly. Erik "The Red" described a foot as a "cold mass of bone, skin and chewy meat." Mmmm!

This week will bring a close to the Nathan's qualifiers, with three more official competitions.

ok, i'm new at these blog callout thingys, so bear with me for a second, this will probably be awkward. Spoke apm:

(Benny Feilhaber scored off of a corner in the 72nd)

that's it? that's all you can bring yourself to say? i realize you guys don't really care for your own country's team, but i thought at least as Fans Of Beautiful Football, you'd take a line or two to appreciate the sheer beauty of that strike. Let's see it again:

That's a moment of utter perfection! You mean to tell me that if Messi or Kaka or, hell, even Teddy Sheringham scored a blistering, one-touch volley to score a game winner, in the final of the tournament that decides your region's champions, against your deepest and most historic rivals, that you'd reduce this single defining moment of the game to a bland parenthetical? That you'd spend more time on the "club-footed, hacking" defenders? Does Jon Spector lose those club feet when he puts on the West Ham shirt?

I'm not saying you have to like the US team, or even that the US is a world-beater or is known for the joga bonito, but that moment was quality, and deserved a bit more than a half-mention. I literally couldn't remember the last time the US successfully fought back to win a competitive match after giving up the first goal. To do it in such a dramatic fashion against Mexico in the final encapsulated so much that is beautiful in this game. A little respect is due.

Tomorrow night! True Fan's and apm's One True Love the Portland Timbers travel up the corridor to take on Seattle Sounders in the US Open Cup. SLABTOWN will have the Official Timbers Army Listening Party (oops, did I say official? strike that, pending TA approval) for this game, and video for Thursday's regular season game away at the California (Give Us A) Victory. Happy Hour runs right up to kickoff (due for 7pm), so you can get warmed up early and full voiced for what should be a spirited game.

The Nathan's table will hold at least two women this year, as Juliet won the Norfolk qualifier over the weekend with 26 HDBs, and will be sitting alongside Sonya and the big guns this year on the 4th. As a woman, she joins an elite few who have made it there, and she is surely in contention for the Rookie of the Year Award, which Joey walked away with in 2006.

This interviewer must have had one drink too many over the weekend, because I don't even remember calling Crazy Legs to talk to him about his win at the Minnesota Mall of America Nathan's qualifier with 24 HDBs (a personal best). Luckily for me, he was kind enough to transcribe our conversation:

MOA (Mall-On-Arrival) True Fan Interview

Liz,

Here is the transcript from our lengthy interview, thanks for calling. Sorry for running up the long distance bill.

Long Winded Answer to first question:

What better place to have a roller coaster of emotion than a 4 million square foot mall with two actual roller coasters in its glass ceiling center. The pressure was more than just on my stomach; with the DVD release of "Crazy Legs Conti: Zen and the Art of Competitive Eating" all lot of folks were hoping that I would be on stage for the big eat July 4th. Plus the movie is in Taste-O-Vision. Years ago Kobayashi told me that focus comes from thinking about the contest every moment of every day. For the 007 hot dog qualifying campaign, I would say I was more haunted, consumed, and overwhelmed than simply focused.

So after four months of agonizing waiting, mindflips and stomach butterflies, I found myself moments before the Minnesota qualifier. Four tiers of fans packed the Rotunda; in the distance a ferris wheel slowly turned above their heads. I excused myself from the circle of Mall of America eaters and sat on a plush square and stared away. I felt the nerves tighten in my throat. Trying to relax, I made a mental checklist of the last words of advice from Badlands, Hungry Charles, X, The Bun Fairy, and my Uncle Dinshaw, but it wasn't helping. My eye caught the display in the bookstore. Appearing at this very spot tomorrow was going to be Sid Hartman, author of the book on the display, "Great Minnesota Sports Moments." I couldn't see the thickness of the book, but I thought, "Hey this hot dog contest could be another one." I mean, Mongo Marquez is no joke. Any wing specialist who can turn his knowledge to the hardest discipline and put up great numbers is not to be loved, but feared. Frank Wach, Justin Mih, and The Hammer (Cookie 2.0) all solid doggers too.

I thought, all right Sid, it's you and me, "We are gonna make this Minnesota sports history." I took a walk to the bathroom and was overcome by that electric feeling of confidence. I'm just walking and talking to my main man, Sid. We are gonna make this happen, You and me, Sid.

I walked back, just before my introduction and was curious, as to how thick really was Sid's book. It wasn't very thick, plenty of room for more great Minnesota sports moments. Then I noticed Sid had written another book; this one called, "Sid." Wait a second, Sid's book, "Sid" was a lot thicker than the Minnesota Great Moments Sports book. How could Sid have the hubris to think that "Sid" should outweigh all the great Minnesota sports moments in history?

And then, I noticed that Sid didn't even write "Sid" by himself. He only co-authored it.

I heard Mike Castellano calling my name, but I just stood and stared at the book display. I thought to myself, "Screw You Sid, I'm gonna eat these hot dogs by myself."

And that's what I did. Then I went to aquarium in the Mall and petted a shark (rough) and a sting ray (smooth). I also rode the roller coaster, but not the spinning one due to my assessment of my stomach and the large group of school children on the log flume below.

Shorter answer to follow up:

Of course, it's hard waiting to eat so late in the qualifying circuit and seeing the numbers skyrocket. Especially this year. I mean, Colonel Hall Hunt with 28 1/2 , My God! I may need to start going to Church or at least start wearing a, "Jesus is my bun dunker" tee shirt. And Shredder and Denmark? Those guys are animals. It's no wonder I passed on a two dollar metrocard trip to Shea Stadium and had to fly a thousand miles to the Midwest. I knew what Philben and Juliet Lee were capable of, but some of these other guys are standing on Joey's shadow looking for the sunlight. It's got to be demoralizing to those of us who can only improve a couple of dogs a year. If I don't get to thirty by next year, I'm going to be like Dennis Hopper's character in, "Hoosiers".

Can I get a word in edgewise as the interviewer?

How do I think it will affect the rankings? Well, as we have seen in the past a lot of emphasis is placed on Hot Dog season. I generally never cared about the IFOCE rankings, but those historical archivist have probably noticed that I debuted in 2002 at #15, bounced around to #13, dropped to #17 and then have spent around 3 1/2 years at #11; more than anyone one else in the history of the sport. Do I think I can crack the top ten and realize one of my last competitive goals? I think it depends on what happens on the 4th. The corn title certainly helps me, but I wouldn't begrudge the Halls and Denmarks who if they hit thirty on the 4th would certainly get the nod. I suppose it would be nice to be in the top ten, that way, when all the bogus internet pundits bash the MLE, saying, "It's only worth it if you are in the top ten...or Crazy Legs" at least they no longer would have to mention me by name. I'd already be included.

Last question due to exasperation (I called you, but I really have to get off the phone. I have a life you know):

Prediction for the fourth? Of course the record will be broken and really it's the only record that matters...the record number of eaters, fans, families, bunnettes, grandmothers and groupies attending the official hot dog contest after-party @ Ruby's on the Boardwalk. Everyone's invited.

Ice cold drinks, light food. Eat (and at the after party and after-after party drink) all you can.

Ruby's Bar and Grill
Coney Island - Boardwalk
between Stillwell and 12th
JULY 4th. Coney Island, USA
1:33PM
www.coneyisland.com

Last year's rookies are certainly this year's stars. Hall Hunt, who won the wild card slot in the Nathan's competition last year by eating the highest combined total from three qualifiers, slid into the competition this year by winning his first qualifier in Charlotte. Though he put down an impressive 28.75 HDBs, a personal best, he was followed very closely by newcomer Juliet Lee, who ate 28. Juliet's total marks the highest ever Nathan's debut by a woman, but she'll have to keep at it in order to make it to this year's table, where no one is holding back. True Fan caught up with Hall a few days after his qualifier to see how the success was sinking in.

Like Erik, you had to battle three qualifiers to make it into the competition last year. Did it feel good to win your first one this year? How do you think that affects you differently (mentally or physically) going into the final weeks?

It felt very good to be able to win in my first qualifier this year. I just have to thank the Lord for letting me do well right off the bat. Last year I was so exhausted from traveling what felt like every weekend to a qualifier, by the time I got to the finals I just wanted to relax and pull a Jed. This year I am hoping to be able to rest up some and get refocused for the finals.

You were going head-to-head with Juliet, who I think surprised the competitive eating community with such a strong Nathan's debut. Were you surprised she came out of the gate so strong? Did it feel any different with a woman as your main competition?

I was not surprised at all that she did so well in Nathan's. I was impressed and happy to see how well she did though. She has had a few good results in other contests, so I was anticipating it carrying over to Nathan's.

Woman, man...if you can eat, you can eat. I felt very comfortable eating up there. This maybe a bit of a tangent, but it reminded me of a time in college when I was dating this one girl who was a big eater herself. She and I after getting a good workout at the gym would rent a good movie, buy a couple large containers of food from the local wholesale grocery store and see who could eat more. I must admit that one time she beat me. That was the only time I ever lost to anyone in an eating contest before I joined the MLE and it was to a woman. Ever since then I have never underestimated females.

It used to be eaters were more territorial around their home turf, but this year everything seems a little more shaken up. Why skip out on Sunrise this year?

Anywhere within driving distance I consider my territory. I really wanted to go to Florida, but something came up. Its name is Chip Simpson. Plus it ended up being the weekend after Saint Patrick's Day. I think I was just waking up a few days before the Florida qualifier started.

Once I saw they were having a NC qualifier this year, I knew I had to go to that. NC is always good to me. I went to my first ever MLE contest in NC and met Joey Chestnut, Sonya Thomas, Booker, Rich LeFevre, Carlene LeFevre, and Joe LaRue. I ate about 4 lbs, but just finished outside of the money. NC is also where I won my first contest. My dad was born and raised there. I have an uncle that is a state senator there, Neal Hunt. Plus the main time I go there is to visit relatives for Thanksgiving, so I always associate NC with food. My family strongly encourages eating a lot. One of my cousins in NC owns a supermarket and always brings tons of food to his farm where the whole family gathers to eat for Thanksgiving. So, as you can see, NC is my home away from home. I also get to visit all my family on my mom's side just across the border in Columbia, SC! It always makes for a nice trip! :o)

Okay, seriously: is this Joey's year to win it?

Takeru is amazing. He has never lost and has held the Nathan's belt for the last 7 or 8 years. However, Joey now has taken the world record from Takeru so you have to believe he has the ability to beat him. I say if Takeru shows up, they trade the lead a few times and keep it close all the way to the end. Either that or Takeru eats 100 HDBs and then ascends into heaven in a beam of light. Of course the beam of light thing may happen regardless. After all, nobody knows what might happen if he looses. Takeru loosing could possibly knock the planet
earth out of orbit and send it flying towards the sun.

What about the 4th of July contest are you looking forward to most now that you know you're in the competition?

First off I would like to thank my manager for giving me the entire week off! I was afraid I was going to have to fly up and back all on the 4th since I am new at this company and haven't earned any PTO yet. I was trying to suggest maybe a half day before and after at minimum, but he cut me off and said I should have the entire week off. No argument here. In answer to your question I am mostly looking forward to just enjoying the whole experience this year. Last year I was way too nervous to enjoy anything. Now that I have been there before I think I will get a
lot more out of it and have a lot more fun. SEE YOU AT CONEY!

The Portland Timbers currently have 11 points for the six games we have played this season (USL Div 1 Standings). Now that we've seen them in action is seems like it's time for some sweet, sweet predictions!

Looking at the upcoming schedule we've got three away games and two home games this month. I bounced the next five games off the other UrbanHonking Timbers Fans:

This puts the number of points UrHo is predicting for the Timbers June games between 5 and 10. (You can post your predictions in the comments below.)

To say the Nathan's qualifying rounds are still going strong would be the understatement of the season. Saturday saw the best showing yet, when American champ Joey Chestnut ate 59.5 HDBs at the Tempe qualifier and broke the world record. That's right; for at least one month (though hopefully more), the Americans will hold the hot dog title, an honor that we haven't enjoyed since 1997. If you thought people lost their shit when the boy ate 50 at last year's qualifier, you haven't even touched the excitement that's coursing through this year's competitive eating community. It's less of an astounded response as a tremendously excited and hopeful one. This could be our year...

Sadly, Rich LeFevre, who won this qualifier last year, had to settle for second place, even with his amazing showing of 33 HDBs. We always feel for the eaters that have to go to three (or in some cases, four) qualifiers, and when you're putting back numbers like that, it's no easy feat. Though currently in first place for the wild card slot, it would be a shame for Rich's vast talents to not receive a win and the community is fairly confident he'll come through in an upcoming qualifier.

Sonya Thomas held strong in Philadelphia last week, winning that qualifier with a whopping 36 hot dogs. It was a tight one, with Bob Shoudt coming in a close second.

And on Sunday, the Shea Stadium qualifier ushered in Erik "The Red" Denmark as its new champ with 26.5 HDBs, plus 3.5 additional HDBs in an overtime. For Erik, whose road to Nathan's was much more difficult last year, this marks a tremendous personal growth. He chatted with True Fan after his win.

So, it seems like you have a thing for stadiums. Do you credit your environment at all for your qualifier successes?

I have to say I am drawn to the competitions that are associated with some sporting event. I think my interest comes from a combination of a more educated fan base when it comes to a sporting event and the fact that it puts me into the subconscious mindset of a serious sporting event that I relate to more - as opposed to a lazy fair or a general venue. But every Nathan's contest has an aura about it that gets the juices flowing.

Did hearing about Joey's amazing victory the day before affect your mindset?

I was inspired by Joey's performance YES. I am still trying to beat the 2005 version of Joey so my timetable is a couple of years behind Mr. Chestnut's right now. I can't wait for the fourth, to see what I can do and to be able to feel that intense competition between Koby, Joey and Pat on stage.

Last year, you had to eat in four qualifiers, one the night before the big competition! This year, it's easy breezy with one. Are you relieved?

Easy breezy? Haha, that was the most intense and pressure packed contest I have ever been in. Goldstein was pushing all of us and beating us through the majority of the contest - he really had an awesome contest. Philbin snuck up and came on strong at the end and I don't know, there was not an easy moment in the entire contest. But yes, I am relieved to get 'er done and have some more time to prepare for July 4. Maybe this year I will actually have a name tag at the table.

Okay, not quite "easy breezy": you had an intense overtime finish--the first of the season; how did you psych yourself up to eat those extra dogs?

Honestly, the final minutes of regulation were so frantic for me because I was trying to catch up and I knew I had more in me and I was so afraid of running out of time. I knew it was close but when they said that Pat and I had tied, Charles Hardy came over and asked me: "how bad do I want this?" I knew that meant we were going to overtime, and my answer was "I want it, let's do it."

I was actually somewhat relieved just to know that I hadn't run out of time and I felt confident that I could eat more in OT. I know Pat wanted it bad as well, we both put down 30 HDB's in 13 minutes of competition. And when Charles told us whoever swallowed it first would win, it was a pure adrenalin rush that helped me get that mess out of my mouth and down my throat. I think it probably took me about 20 seconds to swallow everything, it was painful I am not going to lie.

J and I had a debate going about which competition was easier: the qualifier or the main competition ("easy" being a relative term, of course). I said the qualifier because you have a higher chance of winning, the hot dog quality might be better, and the stress levels are lower. J said the main competition had to be easier, with the roar of the crowd, the adrenalin, and the do-or-die pressure in your favor. Maybe we have no idea what we're talking about. What's your
take?

Unless I can double my capacity in the next month, I would have to say the qualifier is more stressful for me. The crowd on the fourth is so huge and pumped up that I think it motivates you to have an awesome performance. But for those who might have a shot to win this year, aka Joey, Koby, Pat, it will be exhilarating, but a pressure unlike anything anyone has ever felt - trust me that is not a lie, there will be more pressure in that 12 minutes than in any contest in competitive eating history. But you have to want that pressure if you think you are the best in the world, that will bring out the best in you.

Ooh, a stadium that's neither in the city nor on any public transport lines? Tantalizing. You Californian real estate developers really know how to charm us. Might there be a nearby Crate & Barrell to shop at in this new development? SOLD.

EDIT: also, read this very nice story.