Let Me Eat
This past July 4th, 2010 was perhaps more commemorative than was expected. Though this past year, Takeru Kobayashi did not compete in the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest- it was not for lack of desire to participate. His desire to once again win the championship title was so strong that he even stated he would participate on this occasion for free, an offer in good faith given that in past years, he received a participation fee. Due to the exclusivity terms that barred him from appearing in non-IFOCE events, a term that Mr. Kobayashi felt not only to be unfair but stifling to the growth of the world of competitive eating, he kindly declined from renewing his agreement unless this term was revisited. Alas there was no eleventh hour agreement to be had, and in the spirit of camaraderie he joined the fans to cheer from the sidelines.
From this desire to see the world of competitive eating grow and to give himself the freedom to participate in a wider variety of work, the slogan "Free Kobi" was born. Mr. Kobayashi, along with several close friends/fans, donned the Free Kobi t-shirt in an effort to make a stand for himself. In the blurry moments that ensued the conclusion of the competition, Mr. Kobayashi swooped in the excitement of the moment, the cheer of fans to let him eat, and his earnest wish to be part of the celebration, he was ushered to the stage but the situation quickly went south and ended with him spending a night in jail.
Upon release he had only one thing on his mind, naturally to eat hot dogs! His spirits are by no means defeated, and he is happy with the outcome today with the charges being dismissed. He continues to be in high spirits, and is that much more challenged to continue to hone his skills as one of the world's top ranking competitive eaters. The meaning of the Free Kobi slogan has grown now to be inclusive and representative for standing your ground for something you believe in. Expect to see The Tsunami soon, he continues to receive the support of his fans worldwide and invitations to attend various events around the world.
He would like to extend his thanks for all the support and personal messages.
Stay tuned and Free Kobi!
Press Release : AUG 5th 2010
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- msn Fox Sports
- 2010/7/24 Report: Kobayashi to miss Hot Dog Eating Contest
2010/7/5 Kobayashi released from jail after arrest
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- The New York Post
- 2010/7/5 Kobayashi arrested as Chestnut nabs 4th hot dog crown
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- The Wall Street Journal
- 2010/7/2 Kobayashi, Hot Dog Champ, Declares Free Agency
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- The NY Daily News
- 2010/7/1 Don't gag me, says Nathan's hot dog eating star Takeru Kobayashi
2010/7/5 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest mayhem as sidelined ex-champ Takeru Kobayashi goes nuts
2010/7/5 Former hot dog champ Takeru Kobayashi released from jail after distrupting Nathan's eating contest
2010/7/21 Takeru Kobayashi, ex Coney Island hot dog-eating champ, says he would have won if he competed
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- National Post
- 2010/7/5 Competitive eater Kobayashi arrested in New York
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- ESPN New York
- 2010/7/1 Report: Kobayashi still has no contract
2010/7/5 Kobayashi freed, pleads not guilty
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- BBC NEWS
- 2010/7/4 Ex-hot dog eating champion Takeru Kobayashi held in US
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- CBS News
- 2010/7/4 Kobayashi Arrested at Coney Island Hot Dog Contest
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- The US Post Today
- 2010/7/4 Takeru Kobayashi Arrested :2010 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest @ Coney Island
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- NBC New York
- 2010/7/4 Takeru Kobayashi Arrested at Coney Island
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- The Gothamist
- 2010/7/4 Tsunami Strikes: Kobayashi ARRESTED In Coney Island
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- AOL News
- 2010/7/4 Kobayashi Arrested at New York Eating Contest
2010/7/8 Kobayashi: No Plan to Rush Stage at Hot Dog Contest
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- Yahoo News
- 2010/7/2 Report: Japan hot-dog king hungry for July 4 win
2010/7/5 Eating champ leaves NY jail after hot dog fracas
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- The Washington Post
- 2010/7/4 Kobayashi arrested at hotdog eating championship
2010/7/5 Ex-champ Kobayashi crashes the stage at Coney Island hot dog contest
2010/7/6 Kobayashi freed after spending night in jail
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- Weekly World News
- 2010/7/5 KOBAYASHI ARRESTED
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- UK Today News
- 2010/7/5 Takeru Kobayashi – Former Hot Dog Eating Champ Arrested
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- Sports Illustrated.com CNN
- 2010/7/4 Chestnut defends hot dog title; Kobayashi taken into custody
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- The Morning Starr
- 2010/7/4 Kobayashi arrested
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- Fox 8 News
- 2010/7/4 Ex-Hot Dog Eating Champ Arrested After Competition
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- The Washington Times
- 2010/7/5 Eating champ leaves NY jail after hot dog fracas
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- The China Post
- 2010/7/6 Kobayashi arrested at eating competition
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- TMZ
- 2010/7/6 Hot Dog Legend Won't Face Eating Ban
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- Japan Today
- 2010/7/5 Ex-champ Kobayashi arrested at New York hot dog event
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- Google Trends
- 2010/7/5 Takeru Kobayashi arrested in Nathan's hot dog contest
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- CalorieLab
- 2010/7/2 Takeru Kobayashi in New York, Willing to Eat Nathan's Hot Dogs for No Fee
2010/7/3 Feds Grant Takeru Kobayashi Special Visa for Extraordinary Ability
2010/7/4 Competitive Eating League Contracts: Exploitative and Overreaching?
2010/7/5 I Couldn't Accept Slavery on Independence Day: Takeru Kobayashi in His Own Words