Thursday, June 17, 2004

Perhaps that's because Japan holds its competitive eaters in special regard. Eating competitions have been a staple of TV game shows for at least a decade, with competitors most commonly called on to inhale noodles, rice or boiled eggs.

The best eaters, like Kobayashi, are celebrities. Hailed by his fans as "the prince of gluttony," the 25-year-old earned an estimated $150,000 in prize money last year.