Kobayashi Might Skip Hot Dog Eating Contest

In the competitive eating equivalent of Peyton Manning saying he'd skip the Super Bowl or Tim Duncan saying he might not show up to the NBA Finals, a report today suggests that six-time defending champion Takeru Kobayashi might not participate in this year's Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest in New York City.

He's due to go for his seventh Nathan's crown next month, but his manager Kumi Ozeki suggests that Kobayashi's title defense might be in danger.

"Kobayashi's mother died in March and he's currently taking a sabbatical. He's not even in training," the hot dog eating champion's manager tells Shukan Gendai. "I haven't heard a word from him about whether he's going to take part in the July contest and there's no way that I know to get in touch with him."

I sympathize with what Kobayashi is going through, but it would be tragic to have the contest without him. He's the best athlete in the history of his sport, and this year he faces the stiffest challenge of his career from American Joey Chestnut. This is a competition we need to see.

Hat tip: Deadspin.

Previously at FanHouse:
Joey Chestnut Shatters Kobayashi's Hot Dog Eating Record
Kobayashi vs. Bear: 'He Doesn't Know It's a Competition'