Related News
Free lunch sets off an eating 'tsunami'
By Wing Tan |
April 19, 2009, Sunday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
A FEROCIOUS competitor who has chomped his way to hero status in food eating contests, Takeru Kobayashi (pictured below) is a modern living legend, nicknamed the "tsunami" in the United States.
Weighing in at 75 kilograms and standing 173 centimeters tall, the 31-year-old Japanese recently won another title in Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province.
He downed a total of 164 salmon sushi, each weighing about 40 grams, within 20 minutes in the "Jiuguang Asian Eater Competition" held by the newly opened Jiuguang Department Store in Suzhou.
In the semifinal, Kobayashi ate 34 chocolate cakes, each about 3,510 grams, within 15 minutes.
It was the debut performance of the young man's huge appetite in China. As a member of the International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE), Kobayashi held the world record for hot dog eating for nearly six years.
He claims several other records and is ranked third in the world for competitive eating, according to the competition's ruling body.
Q: How did you start your "eating" career to become the world's biggest eater?
A: I lacked any outstanding talent, but my parents raised me to be independent and have a mind of my own. One piece of advice my father gave me when I was little was to strive for the top in whatever I decided to do. I heard about this "eating competition" when I was hanging out with my friends in high school. I just wanted to have a free lunch but later I discovered my "eating talent" in that contest.
Q: I heard that you once downed 10 bottles of milk to smash the school record. Was that an early sign of your "eating talent" and stand you in good stead for the looming career?
A: My policy from when I was a young teenager was to be thankful for everything and never leave anything to waste.
Q: How can you eat so much food within such a short time?
A: Take the hot dog for example. I eat them by splitting the sausage in half first, swallowing both parts at once, and then dipping the buns in water, Sprite, or 7-Up and stuffing it in my mouth. When competing, I use this method to force food down my esophagus to settle it more compactly in my stomach.
Q: Do you have any special training regimes?
A: There is no special training. Usually I expand my stomach for a competition by eating larger and larger amounts of food, and then exercise to ensure that fat will not impede expansion of my stomach. I love sport, like jogging and running on the treadmill. I also love to take part in marathon races.
Q: You have a very healthy body shape, unlike some other big eaters who usually have rather huge bellies. How do you keep fit while eating so much?
A: Actually, I don't eat that much normally. It is only when I am competing. I became dedicated to running and hard-core weight training, and I monitor and strictly control my diet to support the body-building.
Q: Do you eat that fast in your daily life?
A: No. I chew food carefully during each meal before it goes down to my stomach. It is a good way to appreciate the food, a good habit for healthy living and also pays respect to the cook. It is only when I'm competing that I eat that fast.
Q: You gulp down so much food within a very short time. How do you digest it after the competition?
A: I combine eating with drinking large amounts of water, so food just "flows" out of my body.
Q: It is your first time to compete in China. What do you think of the country and city of Suzhou?
A: I am so excited to be here, especially when I see this ancient city. I was recognized by my fans when I got off the plane and had noodles in the food street. People here are so nice.
Weighing in at 75 kilograms and standing 173 centimeters tall, the 31-year-old Japanese recently won another title in Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province.
He downed a total of 164 salmon sushi, each weighing about 40 grams, within 20 minutes in the "Jiuguang Asian Eater Competition" held by the newly opened Jiuguang Department Store in Suzhou.
In the semifinal, Kobayashi ate 34 chocolate cakes, each about 3,510 grams, within 15 minutes.
It was the debut performance of the young man's huge appetite in China. As a member of the International Federation of Competitive Eating (IFOCE), Kobayashi held the world record for hot dog eating for nearly six years.
He claims several other records and is ranked third in the world for competitive eating, according to the competition's ruling body.
Q: How did you start your "eating" career to become the world's biggest eater?
A: I lacked any outstanding talent, but my parents raised me to be independent and have a mind of my own. One piece of advice my father gave me when I was little was to strive for the top in whatever I decided to do. I heard about this "eating competition" when I was hanging out with my friends in high school. I just wanted to have a free lunch but later I discovered my "eating talent" in that contest.
Q: I heard that you once downed 10 bottles of milk to smash the school record. Was that an early sign of your "eating talent" and stand you in good stead for the looming career?
A: My policy from when I was a young teenager was to be thankful for everything and never leave anything to waste.
Q: How can you eat so much food within such a short time?
A: Take the hot dog for example. I eat them by splitting the sausage in half first, swallowing both parts at once, and then dipping the buns in water, Sprite, or 7-Up and stuffing it in my mouth. When competing, I use this method to force food down my esophagus to settle it more compactly in my stomach.
Q: Do you have any special training regimes?
A: There is no special training. Usually I expand my stomach for a competition by eating larger and larger amounts of food, and then exercise to ensure that fat will not impede expansion of my stomach. I love sport, like jogging and running on the treadmill. I also love to take part in marathon races.
Q: You have a very healthy body shape, unlike some other big eaters who usually have rather huge bellies. How do you keep fit while eating so much?
A: Actually, I don't eat that much normally. It is only when I am competing. I became dedicated to running and hard-core weight training, and I monitor and strictly control my diet to support the body-building.
Q: Do you eat that fast in your daily life?
A: No. I chew food carefully during each meal before it goes down to my stomach. It is a good way to appreciate the food, a good habit for healthy living and also pays respect to the cook. It is only when I'm competing that I eat that fast.
Q: You gulp down so much food within a very short time. How do you digest it after the competition?
A: I combine eating with drinking large amounts of water, so food just "flows" out of my body.
Q: It is your first time to compete in China. What do you think of the country and city of Suzhou?
A: I am so excited to be here, especially when I see this ancient city. I was recognized by my fans when I got off the plane and had noodles in the food street. People here are so nice.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
