Who Will Be The Top Dog? By TIMOTHY WILLIAMS Associated Press Writer July 3, 2003, 3:16 PM EDT NEW YORK -- Mayor Michael Bloomberg presided Thursday over the weigh-in for the annual Nathan's Famous hot dog eating contest, an event filled with bad jokes, worse puns, majestic bellies and repeated mentions of the event's sponsor. "This is the official weigh-in for the 88th annual world-renowned Nathan's Famous hot dog eating contest," Bloomberg announced in City Hall Park. "It actually probably will be followed by the world-renowned Rolaids eating contest, but that's a whole separate company." The weigh-in wasn't much of a weigh-in at all: The scale appeared not to work, though Bloomberg dutifully fiddled with it anyway, pretending to weigh each contestant. Given the scale woes, the crowd was left to accept promoter George Shea's assurances that challenger William "The Refrigerator" Perry weighs 410 pounds _ or 265 pounds more than two-time defending champion Takeru Kobayashi of Japan. Kobayahsi, known as "Tsunami" for his eating style, remains the favorite at the annual Fourth of July hot dog happening. Kobayashi ate 50{ Nathan's Famous hot dogs and buns in last year's contest to set the world record. Ex-football player Perry, the former Chicago Bears defensive tackle, was better known in his playing days for his size than for his skill. The backdrop for the made-for-media event was a very large banner advertising Nathan's Famous that stretched across the stage. And each contestant took the stage wearing a white T-shirt _ a Nathan's Famous hot dog T-shirt. "Nathan's hot dogs are featured in over 2,500 food service establishments in over 6,000 supermarkets and club stores in 42 states throughout the United States," said Wayne Norbitz, president and chief operating officer of Nathan's Famous. Shea, as nimble with words as Kobayashi is with a beef frank, managed to link the company with patriotism. "Nowhere on the Earth is patriotism more evident than Nathan's Famous in Coney Island on the Fourth of July," said Shea. In the end there were free hot dogs for all and a Nathan's Famous T-shirt signed by this year's 21 contestants given to Bloomberg from Norbitz. "It's what I've always wanted," Bloomberg said. Twenty bucks on Kobayashi. This is perhaps the best sporting event of the year. Even the Fridge is looking for some publicity this year. The Fridge doesn't stand a chance against the man known as Kobayashi.
It's going to be no contest, that Kobayashi dude is incredible. He is able override his impulse to hurl (sent from his brain) and take advatage of the stomachs capacity to expand 10x. He is the mIchael Jordan, babe ruth, muhammed ali of competitive eating all in one package.
KOBAYASHI My employer requires your services. One job. One day's work. Very dangerous. I don't expect all of you to live, but those who do will have ninety-one million dollars to divide any way they see fit. KEATON Who's your boss? KOBAYASHI My employer wishes to remain anonymous. The mission, William the Refrigerator Perry, if you choose to accept it, is to beat the Japanese and return the honor of the world's top hot dog eater to the United States.
My fault, dude. They were showing some interview with an Asian chick, probably his girlfriend, and I assumed that was the winner.
I saw video on the news of that guy puking after last year's contest. He was trying to hold it in so it came out of his nose
Anybody catch this on sportscenter? There was this old man who seem to have ill feelings towards the fridges saying that hes taking away some attention away from the "real" eaters. If you have a chance watch the next SC it was ridicolously hilarious.
