Takeru Kobayashi

Takeru Kobayashi is a Japanese competitive eater and a member of the International Federation of Competitive Eating.

Kobayashi has won numerous competitive eating competitions. He won on his first try at the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest in 2001, astonishing the crowd by doubling the previous record for hot dogs eaten by downing 50 in 12 minutes. He introduced a method for consuming hot dogs at a rapid rate called the Kobayashi Shake, which helped to win an unprecedented six consecutive hot dog championships. His streak was finally broken by Joey Chestnut in 2007. Kobayashi has also won the Krystal Square Off hamburger eating contest three times.

• 17.7 pounds of cow brains in 10 minutesIFOCE: Takeru Kobayashi
• 58 bratwurst in 10 minutesIFOCE: Takeru Kobayashi
• 41 lobster rolls in 10 minutesIFOCE: Takeru Kobayashi
• 20 pounds of rice balls in 30 minutesIFOCE: Takeru Kobayashi
• 100 roasted pork buns in 12 minutes The Standard: Japan speed eater wolfs down 100 pork buns in 12 minutes (August 15, 2004)

• Mahalo's Guide to the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest
• IFOCE Profile
  • Height: 5'7"
  • Weight: 165
  • Rookie Appearance: 2001

• March 15, 1978: Born in Nagano, Japan

• 2001: Rookie appearance at the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest, eats 50 hot dogs

• 2002: 50½ hot dogs

• 2003: 44½ hot dogs

• 2004: 53½ hot dogs

• 2005: 49 hot dogs

• 2006: 53¾ hot dogs

• 2007: 63 hot dogs