[tang-soo]

John Corby of WTVN 610 in Columbus interviewed this guy several months ago. What cracked me up was his method of "training". A few months before the event, he starts his training by freezing a bunch of tootsie rolls (the big ones) and chews on them to strengthen his jaw muscles. Now that's dedication to a cause.

[NYer]

The Food Network ran a 1/2 hour special on him, as well. He trains in Japan by consuming a 10 course meal. Check out the stats on the hotdogs.

According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council, the average American eats 70 hot dogs a year. Takeru Kobayashi ate 50½ hot dogs in 12 minutes. The following are estimates based on average hot dog statistics.

Hot dogs: 180 calories X 50½ = 9,090 calories

Buns: 140 calories X 50½ = 7,070 calories

Total calories: 16,160 (percentage of daily allowance: 708)

Fat from hot dogs: 13 grams X 50½ = 656½ grams (percentage of daily allowance: 895)

Fat from buns: 2½ grams of fat X 50½ = 126¼ (191.3 percent)

Sodium: 450 milligrams X 50½ = 22¾ grams (percentage of daily allowance: 848)