Takeru “Kobi” Kobayashi, the Japanese competitive eating legend, has announced his retirement from the sport, citing concerns over the long-term impact on his health. The six-time champion of the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest revealed his decision in the Netflix documentary “Hack Your Health – The Secrets of Your Gut.”
Kobayashi, 46, has been a dominant figure in the world of competitive eating since 2000. He is perhaps best known for his six consecutive victories at the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest from 2001 to 2006, a feat that earned him international fame. However, the toll of consuming vast quantities of food, often highly processed, has led him to reconsider his career.
“Ever since I started this career, I’ve wondered what damage I’ve done to my body,” Kobayashi said in the documentary. “I want to know how it is damaging my brain and my nervous system.” He estimates that he has consumed over 10,000 hot dogs during his career, not to mention his participation in other eating competitions involving pizza, chicken wings, and hamburgers.
Kobayashi’s innovative techniques, such as the “Kobayashi Shake” – a method of dipping hot dogs in water and using a unique body shake to help the food slide down – have revolutionized the sport. However, the physical consequences of his career have become increasingly apparent. He no longer feels hunger or fullness, and his sense of smell has diminished. His wife revealed that he has sometimes gone days without eating anything and realizing it.
“I’ve decided to retire from competitive eating,” Kobayashi announced. “It’s all I’ve done for the last 20 years. I am worried about what my next step will bring, but I’m also excited about my future. I have mixed feelings. But first, I want to fix my brain and my gut.”
As he steps away from the competitive eating arena, Kobayashi is focusing on his health. He and his wife have been concentrating on eating a traditional Japanese diet, and he has expressed interest in creating a healthier hot dog using Japanese ingredients.
Kobayashi’s retirement marks the end of an era in competitive eating, a sport he helped popularize. His departure raises questions about the long-term health implications of the sport, a topic that is likely to be the subject of increased scrutiny in the future.