Former hot-dog-eating champion Takeru Kobayashi, 31, was arrested today after his rival, Joey Chestnut, won the annual Nathan’s International Hot Dog Eating Contest by consuming 54 hot dogs in ten minutes. Kobayashi, a six-time victor, was benched this year owing to an alleged contract dispute with Major League Eating, but he attempted to jump the stage after the event, according to CNN, and he ended up causing a scene. Apparently in the world of competitive eating, publicists tell it like it is: “Kobayashi was trying to prove he was better than other competitors,” said Yuki James, one of Kobayashi’s own handlers. Kobayashi faces charges of resisting arrest, interfering with a police officer, and disorderly conduct. He’s being held at a Brooklyn jail, like this week’s other attention-stealer, Anna Chapman. Happy Independence Day, everybody. [CNN]
Update: Deadspin has a video of Kobayashi’s arrest.
