Food fighters in Japan think of themselves as athletes. They have a higher recognition of the game and are constantly thinking about records. I probably won't continue for long because it puts pressure on the body. But I am at the age where I can perform my best.

He eats the hot dogs by splitting the frankfurter in half dipping the buns in water Sprite or 7-Up and then stuffing both parts in his mouth. At a speed-eating contest in Hong Kong on August 13 2005 Kobayashi consumed 83 vegetarian jiaozi dumplings in 8 minutes.

He holds several records including four Guinness Records for eating hot dogs meatballs Twinkies hamburgers and pasta. Takeru Kobayashi (小林尊 Kobayashi Takeru?) (born March 15 1978) is a Japanese competitive eater.