Posted: Friday, February 3, 2012, 9:37 AM | 11 comments |
 
options
 
Takeru Kobayashi shows who's boss after the first round Friday. (Ryan Petzar / Philly.com)

By Ryan Petzar

PHILLY.COM

In a landslide victory at SportsRadio 94 WIP's Wing Bowl XX, Takeru Kobayashi dethroned reigning champ Joey "Super" Squibb, by downing a record 337 wings.

Kobayashi shattered the previous high of 254 wings, set last year by Squibb.

As expected, it was a Kobayashi/Squibb final, but the wing-off was a formality as Kobayashi had a commanding lead of over 60 wings by the end of the second round.

"He was great," said Squibb after watching someone else be crowned Wing Bowl champion for the first time in three years. Great may have been an understatement, as Kobayashi has obliterated the previous overall record before the second round even ended. Squibb's disappointment is most likely tempered because he had just won a 2012 Chevy Camaro for being the local eater that ate the most wings.

Boos rained down from the top of the Wells Fargo Center as Kobayashi flexed his muscles after his coronation.

Click here for complete Wing Bowl coverage

"I think people are just shocked that a local guy didn't win," said Tony Luke Jr., cheesesteak-maven and friend of Kobayashi. "That's all," he concluded.

Kobayashi was eating at a pace that astounded host Angelo Cataldi. "It looks like it's all over," he commented during the second round.

It wasn't a total cakewalk for the new champ, though. At one point early in the second round, Kobayashi gagged and nearly vomited. Since Wing Bowl rules dictate that "If you heave, you leave," it would have been a stunning development.

But Kobayashi was able to restrain himself, in fact appearing to re-swallow whatever came back up. After a few taps of his throat, he flashed a smile to the cameras before going right back to eating. 

Posted by RYAN PETZAR @ 9:37 AM  Permalink | 11 comments
11
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:20 AM, 02/03/2012
    why boo kobayashi? he's the greatest competitive eater of all time. it would be like booing michael jordon, or booing babe ruth.
    tockeyhockey
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:40 AM, 02/03/2012
    We will all be reading about these people when they die of cardiac arrest or diebetes.
    Citizenc92
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:09 AM, 02/03/2012
    Where was Joey Chestnut this year?
    dawson22
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:14 AM, 02/03/2012
    @tockeyhockey, Don't bother. Remember you are in Negadelphia.
    maurysline
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 11:48 AM, 02/03/2012
    Cataldi's has a serious bromance for Kobayashi...
    ctycouncilfrauds
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:13 PM, 02/03/2012
    Booing the champ because he is Japanese? This isn't 1941! Philadelphia is again embarrassed by WIP, this is a bigger embarrassement than when Angelo lead the chorus to boo Donovan McNabb.
    lostInPhilly
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 12:38 PM, 02/03/2012
    yeah, because jordan was never booed in philly.
    bryanarmengraham
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:37 PM, 02/03/2012
    @lostInPhilly -- Who said it's because he's Japanese? YOU'RE the one thinking it's because he's Japanese. Please don't perpetuate racial divides by accusing people of racism without evidence or reason -- it only makes things much worse.
    RhondaBillings
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 2:54 PM, 02/03/2012
    lostInPhilly might not be referring to the racial aspect but rather the nationalistic aspect -- the crowd was chanting "U-S-A!" when Kobayashi entered. Actually, I think they were booing because he's a WINNER and the Philly fans are therefore uncertain how to act.
    J H
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:01 AM, 02/04/2012
    kobe or kobayashi...they boo both. when in doubt, boo.
    jim715
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 5:25 PM, 02/04/2012
    Why not a cheesesteak eating contest?? This is philly!! Put them on half tarps and get the count high. Where can I enter???
    bigdaddyG


11 comments
About Pattison Ave.
No matter what color tints the blood pumping through the heart of this sports-crazed city, the artery carrying that passion from the faithful fans to their beloved teams has long been Pattison Avenue.

Paved with triumph and (too much) heartache, the road that runs through the South Philadelphia stadium complex has played many roles for Philadelphia sports fans through the years, at times acting as this city's Broadway, Easy Street, Main Street U.S.A. and Yellow Brick Road.

This blog was created by the Philly.com sports team in that same spirit, offering an eclectic resource for news and nuggets about Philadelphia sports and beyond. Breaking news, analysis, random thoughts, viral videos, odds and ends -- you'll find it all here on Pattison Ave.

Categories
 
Football
Get it now