Former Champ Kobayashi Arrested Attempted To Get On Stage

The Takero Kobayashi contract dispute created plenty of intrigue this week as some folks thought Kobayashi was just trying to play head games with three-time champ Joey Chestnut. However, Kobayashi was not on stage during today’s event, which might explain Chestnut’s less than legendary performance.

However, Kobayashi was in attendance, watching the contest from the front of the crowd. After Chestnut rolled to victory, things took a turn for the bizarre, as Kobayashi attempted to climb on stage. Police arrested him and took him into custody:

Then, several security officers appeared and tried to usher him off. He grabbed a metal police barricade with both hands, holding on tightly as the officers pulled at him. Finally, they dragged him down the stairs, with Kobayashi resisting vehemently.

He was under arrest Sunday afternoon, charged with resisting arrest, trespass and obstructing governmental administration.

Joey Chestnut Chomps Way To Easy Victory

Joey Chestnut rolled to an easy victory taking down 54 hot dogs and buns (HDB) in the 2010 Nathan’s Famous July Fourth International Eating Contest. It was a long way from his record of 68 HDB last year, but the combination of the heat and no Kobayashi on hand was enough to slow down Chestnut.

Tim “Eater X” Janus came in second with 45 and Pat Bertolleti finished third with 37.

Kobayashi did make an appearance at the event as he was spotted by ESPN cameras shortly before the event. Chestnut was asked about this after the event and he said that if Kobayashi was a real man he would have been up on the stage.

Whatever the case, congratulations to Joey Chestnut on his fourth consecutive mustard belt. He’s arguably the Bay Area’s greatest and most dominating champion.

Odds On Hot Dog Eating Contest Do NOT Include Kobayashi

The folks at sportsbook.com have put together a variety of odds for the July 4th Hot Dog Eating Contest. It’s interesting to note they have not included Kobayashi at this point in their overall odds to win, odds for second place, or various proposition bets.

Over at 5dimes.com, they’re apparently offering two sets of odds on total hot dogs eaten by the champ: If Kobayashi sits out and Chestnut competes, the over/under is 68.5 hot dogs and buns; If Kobayashi competes alongside Chestnut, the over/under is 70.5.

San Jose's Own Joey Chestnut Looks To Build On Legendary Status

As important as July 4th is as a celebration of our independence, it has also become known for a major athletic competition: Nathan's Famous July Fourth International Eating Contest. For those that are unaware, that is the hot dog eating contest that takes place at Coney Island every 4th of July. And for purposes of SB Nation Bay Area, it is where San Jose's own Joey Chestnut has built himself into a near mythical icon in the world of competitive eating.

Chestnut is the current holder of the mustard belt, and the three-time defending champion. While he has always put up great numbers, Chestnut took an amazing step forward by setting a new world record, even as the organizers maintained the ten minute time limit. With 68 hot dogs, Chestnut bested his previous record of 66.

This year there is added controversy as previous hot dog king Takero Kobayashi has threatened to hold out due to contractual obligations. According to Kobayashi:

Japanese competitive eater Takeru Kobayashi has travelled to New York and is standing by ready to participate in the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest on Sunday for free, waiving his usual appearance fee. But he is asking that Major League Eating desist from demanding that he not appear in any competitive eating contest not organized by MLE, including in Japan. "This is not about the money," Kobayashi says. "I told MLE I would take a reduced fee and then offered to participate with no appearance fee at all." But "[f]or me to take part in the Nathan's contest on July 4, one day out of the year, MLE wants to keep me from doing anything else without them for over one year."

Chestnut was recently interviewed on ESPN's First Take, during which he discussed Kobayashi's "hold-out" and how much it might actually just be gamesmanship.