Japanese competitive eater Takeru Kobayashi, the six-time Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest champion, has announced his retirement from the sport due to rising health concerns. In the Netflix documentary “Hack Your Health – The Secrets of Your Gut,” Kobayashi revealed that decades of overeating for sport has left him with no appetite or sensation of fullness, causing him to go days without eating. His wife Maggie James expressed concern that Kobayashi’s body feels “broken,” and he hopes to live a long and healthy life.
Kobayashi began his career in competitive eating in 2000, consuming 16 bowls of ramen in one hour on a Japanese variety show. He set a world record by eating 50 hot dogs in 12 minutes at the 2001 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, and went on to win the Mustard Yellow Belt six consecutive years until 2006. Throughout his career, Kobayashi has set world records with various foods, ranging from Buffalo wings and lobster rolls to cow brains, hamburgers, tacos, and pizza. He estimates that he has eaten around 10,000 hot dogs since the beginning of his career.
In preparation for competitions, Kobayashi would spend months expanding his stomach with food to be able to consume large amounts in a short period. However, this overeating eventually took a toll on his health, affecting his nervous system and reducing his sense of smell and appetite. Despite stepping away from competitive eating, Kobayashi’s brain still craves highly processed foods, indicating that the effects of his extreme eating habits are long-lasting.
Although Kobayashi will no longer be competing in hot dog eating contests, he is not giving up hot dogs entirely. He is determined to create a healthier hot dog that incorporates traditional Japanese ingredients, reflecting his desire to move towards a healthier lifestyle. Kobayashi acknowledges the damage that competitive eating has caused his body and hopes to be more careful with his food choices in the future. While he is uncertain about what the future holds, Kobayashi is excited about the opportunities that lie ahead beyond competitive eating.
