So-called competitive eater Joey “Jaws” Chestnut won the championship after stuffing 54 hotdogs and buns down his throat in 10 minutes. Alas, the San Jose man fell short of his goal to eat 70 dogs in 10 minutes to beat his 2009 record of 68.
Shortly after the victory, in a scene that sounds straight out of pro wrestling, not pro eating, Chestnut’s arch rival and six-time champion Takeru Kobayashi – who hadn’t entered the contest owing to a contract dispute with the organizer, Major League Eating — stormed the stage.
Despite the crowd’s chanting “Let him eat! Let him eat!” however, the world’s No. 3 professional eater, nicknamed “The Tsunami,” was cuffed by police, dragged off stage and booked on trespassing charges.
Wow, who knew hot dog eating contests could be so dramatic?
I realize this event is incredibly popular, but I have to say, the thought of eating 54 hot dogs in 10 minutes, let alone five hot dog dogs in 10 minutes, makes me retch. Why not have a boot eating competition instead?
I’ve always wondered what happens with these guys afterward. Do they just shove a finger down their throats and yack those tubesteaks back up? Or do they suffer through horrible stomach aches, and then the next day hold on for dear life as they sit down for their morning constitutional?
Either way, it’s kind of digusting and doesn’t seem worth the prize — yes, even if it is the hallowed Mustard Belt.
“Wow, who knew hot dog eating contests could be so dramatic?”
As you've alluded to above, I bet the real drama occurs the day after the contest. Way to develop an eating disorder. Great role models for the kids. “Dad I wanna be just like Jaws” I wonder what their training regime is like? Maybe they should clean the sport up and eat a big bucket of Greek salad with a mineral water chaser instead.
“Let him eat!” sounds like a reasonable request, almost humanitarian. I guess context is everything eh?
Ryan Starr
I can't seem to get that “barf-a-rama” scene from Stand by Me out of my head. You know the one where “Lardass” eats all those pies in the pie eating contest, then barfs all over that guy, causing a vomiting chain reaction in the crowd? Wonder if that has actually ever happened at one of these things…
Blame Canada
Ha yeah, I'd forgotten that one. I was thinking more Witches of Eastwick and the cherry scene. I've never been able to eat cherries since without thinking of that. I'll spare you the youtube video.
Merry Christmas to all — if you celebrate it, or even if you don’t; and even if you don’t, you’re still going to love Simon’s cat in ‘Santa Claws’ (unless you don’t like cats, in which case, forget you). Happy … Continue reading → […]
NOVEMBER HAS BECOME synonymous with “Movember,” the annual event during which guys around the world grow moustaches to raise money and awareness for men’s health, prostate cancer specifically. It’s a brilliant publicity campaign that has gathered a huge amount of … Continue reading → […]
HOW’S THAT FOR heeding a warning? Saw this head-shaking piece of work on the way into a Toronto-area hospital yesterday. If the genius driver responsible for the damage could read the sign, apparently he didn’t get the message. ryan@roadtostarrdom.com […]
CANADIAN NOVELIST Russell Smith had a thought-provoking column in the Globe and Mail a few weeks back examining the growing tendency these days for young creative people, writers in particular, to work for free. The spur for the discussion was … Continue reading → […]
NEGATIVE OPINIONS about news organizations have hit an all-time high in the U.S. But Americans trust their news organizations more than they do government and business. This according to a new survey from the Pew Research Center for the People … Continue reading → […]
Recent Articles
Architect instructed: 'Give me something different' (January 28, 2012)
Architect Richard Witt knew he’d designed a great condo when a community meeting for the project ended with him receiving a round of applause.
Living down by the river (January 28, 2012)
David Wex has been so impressed with what’s happening at Underpass Park that the developer recently threw a party there to show it off.
The value of good karma (January 28, 2012)
Karma condo's charity/marketing campaign generated a great deal of interest in the project and raised over $15,000 for three local charities.
Nice guys really do finish first (January 21, 2012)
A gutsy approach to business — tempered by humility and community mindedness — has served Charles Mady well.
Toronto embraces Shangri-La living (January 14, 2012)
If the rip-roaring success of condo sales at Shangri-La Toronto can serve as any indication, this city appears to have embraced the new arrival with open arms.
New townhomes on the ‘Block’(January 14, 2012)
The success of this redesigned townhouse project is a testament to the demand in the city for at-grade contemporary housing.
Lago takes full advantage of Lake Ontario views (January 7, 2012)
Lovely vistas are a big selling point for Lago Condos, Monarch’s latest project at its Waterview master-planned community in Humber Bay.
Merton townhouses have a custom home feel (January 7, 2012)
It’s a cold morning, but Sarit Chandaria, principal of Tibro Developments, offers a warm grin and firm handshake as he welcomes me to The Merton.
Bond, The Bond, coming soon to downtown T.O. (December 3, 2011)
In conceiving of a design for The Bond, a condo to be built at John and Adelaide, architect Charles Gane figured the best approach was to keep it simple.
Picasso: A sculpture on the city skyline (November 25, 2011)
Architect Stephen Teeple has designed a tower composed of “suspended solids” — white cubic forms that float on the building’s dark-grey core.
Ten York will link downtown with the waterfront (November 25, 2011)
Ten York, the proposed 75-storey condo unveiled earlier this week by Tridel and Build Toronto, is poised to become one of the city’s most iconic new towers.
Ion to benefit from new Humber River hospital (November 25, 2011)
Ion Condos, to rise just down the road from where Humber River Regional Hospital’s new acute-care facility will be built, looks like a healthy real estate proposition.
Bringing condo life to an established neighbourhood (November 5, 2011)
Tarek Sobhi felt that Eglinton Ave. near Bathurst St. was in need of a nice new condo project, having not seen any multi-family development for decades.
Counting out loud (December 2011)
Women started outnumbering men as law school grads a decade ago, but no one knows how they’re faring in the profession. It’s time for law firms to go public.
Financial Freedom: 50-somethings (December 2011)
It’s an all-too familiar scene: A guy in his mid-50s shoots out of bed at 3 a.m., sweating buckets, deep in the throes of a serious “Oh crap!” moment.
Financial Freedom: 40-somethings (October/November 2011)
So you’ve hit the big 4-0. Your glory days aren’t necessarily behind you, but things aren’t as carefree anymore.
Financial Freedom: 30-somethings (September 2011)
You’re in your 30s and you still know how to live the good life, but the realities of adulthood have set in.
Financial Freedom: 20-somethings (July/August 2011)
A bit of planning and saving in your fancy-free 20s could mean a plump nest egg and stopping work sooner.
The new retirement (May/June 2011)
Retirement isn't what it used to be. How do different generations envision their post-working years?
Keys to a healthy, long-lasting roof (December 2, 2011)
There’s nothing more important to the well-being of your house than a properly functioning roof.
Household insurance and weather damage (August 19, 2011)
Simply purchasing a policy doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be sheltered from the potential financial fallout after a storm hits.
Colleges worried about CSC funding cuts (September 16, 2011)
Ontario schools see great value in the relationships they've formed with the Construction Sector Council.
Project owners fear loss of sector council data (September 14, 2011)
The federal government's decision to phase out core funding to the Construction Sector Council has raised concerns among owners.
Justin Trudeau: The world is watching Canada (October 2010)
Our abundant natural resources, educated workforce and diverse population position Canada to be a global leader, Liberal MP Justin Trudeau says.