Takeru Kobayashi, a man known as the “Godfather of Competitive Eating,” is retiring from his craft to focus on his health.
He made the announcement via a Netflix documentary titled, “Hack Your Health: The Secrets of Your Gut.”
“I’ve decided to retire from competitive eating,” he states. “It’s all I’ve done for the last 20 years. I am worried about what my next step will bring, but I am also excited about my future. I have mixed feelings.”
Kobayashi, who is 46 years old, won six consecutive times at the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest from 2001 to 2006.
He is credited with having popularized the competition through his amazing feats. Or maybe … amazing feasts. All told, he holds 13 competitive eating world records, including not just hot dogs, but also other foods like pizza, tacos, and buffalo wings.
RELATED: Mets Fan Becomes Instant Cult Hero, Thrown Out For ‘Inciting A Riot’ On $1 Hot Dog Night
Takeru Kobayashi Retiring Due To Shocking Reasons
In one of the more shocking statements referencing a retirement, Takeru Kobayashi indicates he’s no longer hungry.
“I hear people say they’re hungry, and they look very happy after they’ve eaten,” Kobayashi says in the documentary. “I’m jealous of those people because I no longer feel hunger.”
That’s like Babe Ruth saying he’s heading off into the sunset because he no longer wants to hit baseballs really, really far.
Actually, come to think of it. It has vibes of that scene in Forrest Gump where Tom Hanks’ character has been running for years and just decides one day to stop.
“I’m pretty tired, think I’ll go home now.”
RELATED: NASCAR Owner Dares Ricky Stenhouse Jr To Wreck Kyle Busch: ‘He’ll Carry A Rough Beating’
On A Serious Note
On a much more serious note, Kobayashi is concerned about his overall health. Including in his gut and his brain.
“Ever since I started this career, I’ve wondered what damage I’ve done to my body,” he said.
The legendary eater went on to express concerns about the potential damage that highly processed food is causing to his body.
“For the past 20 years, I have been in this field,” he said. “I worry about the consequences of my decision, but most importantly, I want to repair my brain and gut.”
After housing Nathan’s hot dogs for years, Kobayashi is seeking to develop some healthier options.
“Throughout my career, what’s influenced me more than competitive eating is the hot dog,” he added in the documentary. “I want to create a healthier hot dog by combining it with healthy Japanese ingredients.”
Not sure how well it will work to have a tofu dog advertised by a guy known as “The Tsunami” due to his ability to down 60 bunless hot dogs in 2 minutes and 35 seconds.
More about:Uncategorized
Read This Next
