Hot Dog Eating Contest 2020: Will Kobayashi compete?

Will Kobayashi compete in the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest?

It takes a special person to want to eat so much food that it’s considered a spectacle. Yet, that’s what Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest does, bring those special people together in an event that has gained incredible amounts of attention over the years. Usually, there are fifteen competitors at the event and a lot of hotdogs. Not this year, however, as the fields for the men’s and women’s divisions have been widdled down to just five competitors apiece. Joey Chestnut, the 12-time champion of the event is stealing the headlines and has many people wondering if he can break his own record. Except, Chestnut wasn’t the first “star” of the event, a Japanese man by the name of Kobayashi was.

Short of some sort of unforeseen situation, however, it looks like Chestnut will make it 13 wins at the annual July 4 event. Why is that, however?

Simple, Kobayashi won’t be there. In fact, Kobayashi hasn’t been there since 2010, where he was arrested at the event. Following that, and the refusal to sign a new deal with Nathan’s, Kobayashi retired from the event.

Chestnut, however, has gone on to dominate the event in Koybayashi’s absence. Setting new records every year he competes. The attraction of Chestnut and Kobayashi would be huge for the fans of the event and the competition. Will it ever happen though? Kobayashi doesn’t think so, saying that despite offers and callouts, Chestnut has not responded to any. Chestnut apparently wants to face Kobayashi only at the annual July 4 event.

Granted, while Kobayashi is currently banned from the event, it would be the largest platform for them to compete on. No one ever says they want to see Tom Brady and Peyton Manning square off in the Arena Football League, so it makes sense that Chestnut would want the biggest platform possible.

Until the bad blood between the two competitive eaters simmers, Kobayashi remains content in never competing at the event again.