Sonya's View: A Peek Inside the Web

2008-09-14, 10:07:56: Sonya "On Dunking":

As I mentioned some time ago, I intend, with very few exceptions, to avoid contests in which dunking (immersing the food in liquid for up to 5 seconds before eating it) is permitted. As a matter of fact, if I made the rules in the IFOCE / MLE, dunking would not even be allowed. Dunking invites stretching or breaking the rules, which, if not strictly enforced, make it extremely unfair for all participants.

Also, it makes it really tough for the judges, because the amount of the deductions for food dropped in the water or on the floor becomes a matter of opinion, and it is almost impossible to make fair decisions based on best guesses. I don't like opinions. I like rules that are enforced. If you don't enforce the rules consistently, you just open the doors for trouble and bad feelings among eaters and towards the judges.

So, after this year, I'll likely be saying An-yong-he-ke-se-yo! (Korean for good-bye) to Nathan's and Krystals. I'd rather forfeit prize money and a bit of publicity than my peace of mind and emotional well being. Give me contests where food is weighed any day! ♣

Update: To see what I'm talking about, regarding opinions (and subjectivity), especially in contests that allow dunking, just go to http://www.ifoce.com/news.php?action=detail&sn=630. I think that just about says it all. ♣

"The Widow's" Thoughts on Nathan's, 2008: The Battle Within! (Be sure to watch it at High Noon, Friday, 4 July 2008):

First, please know that each and every one of the participants at the Final Table earned a right to be there by winning his (or her, in the case of eating wonder Juliet Lee -- oh yeah, I'll show up too) qualifier. I say this because if you miss the intoductions, you may well not see the eaters again, since the focus of the show will be on the two eaters at the center of the table: first-time Nathan's champ and current World Record holder, Joey "Jaws" Chestnut and the 6-time Mustard-Yellow Belt wearer who put competitive eating on the map, the absolute greatest sportsman alive today, Takeru "The Tsunami" Kobayashi. (Regardless of Kobay's Japanese nationality, when people think of July 4th, they think of Takeru Kobayashi.)

One thing I want to make clear, if it isn't already. Realistically, no eater at the table will be able to challenge Joey "Jaws" Chestnut for the victory and the 2008 title except for Kobay, and I expect both of them to eat approximately 60 Hot Dogs and Buns (HDBs). That does not mean, in any way, however, that the numbers each person puts up are not important -- they are! Each eater's goal is to down a personal best quantity of Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs in the newly-established contest length of 10 minutes. So I hope you will check back with eatfeats.com or perhaps beautifulbrian.com after the contest to find out that information. That stuff is what makes it all worthwhile for every food warrior -- the battle within. As for me, my goal is to do the double deuce (40), which I have never done in 12 minutes, the pre-2008 standard for Nathan's, let alone 10 minutes. So this will be a difficult challenge. But that's how I like things.

Who do I think will win between Joey and Kobay? That is a tough, tough question. In 2007 Joey absolutely annihilated Kobay's previous world standard (for 12 minutes) of 53 1/2 HDBs by getting credit for 66 HDBs. Kobay also slaughtered his own record by consuming 63 HDBs. (Not only were fans shocked at these lofty totals, I've been eating competitively for 5 years and I was totally blown away also!) Joey has to be the favorite, no doubt. However, Kobayashi did not get to be the greatest competitive eater of all time by accident. The man is absolutely committed to winning, and he intends to win on July 4th, as seemingly impossible as that might be. Last year Joey "Jaws" Chestnut pushed Kobay into uncharted territory -- not winning. Kobay will not accept being second best. It's all about who wants it more, Joey or Kobay.

My wish on July 4th is for each and every eater at the Final Table to set a new personal standard, whatever number of HDBs that might correspond to. That's the battle within and that's what makes it all fun and worthwhile.

To answer fan questions about how I perceive some of my fellow gurgitators, here are my views on some of the eaters I interact with:

"Super" Paul Barlow: One of the funniest people in the IFOCE who I always enjoy being around. Quick to make fun of himself, but is an improving gurgitator (eater).
Pat "Deep Dish" Bertoletti: Energetic, enthusiastic, fun-loving, and a very nice, intelligent, and mature young man. Epitomizes raw speed!
Tim "Gravy" Brown: After Nathan's Hot Dogs last year he's definitely an eater to watch in 2008.
Dave "SyKoBozo" Cagle: A welcomed edition to the IFOCE from Houston, TX. He really enjoys competitive eating and he's a nice guy!
Kevin Carr: Always very supportive of me. Kevin's an improving eater and one of the most intellegent people in all of competitive eating (CE). Great podcast interviews!
Joey "Jaws" Chestnut: A totally honest, very mild-mannered, extremely confident Champion!. He says what he thinks and doesn't talk BS.
Micah "Wing Kong" Collins: Micah's a Wing specialist. He's a nice guy -- a confident guy -- and much fun to be around.
"Crazy" Legs Conti: A favorite voice of the IFOCE, he's extremely entertaining, yet very down to earth with loads of common sense.
Pete "Pretty Boy" Davekos: Did a super job on the "Feast on the First" Wing-eating competition on ESPN's Mike and Mike show (May 1, 2008). A welcomed, well-spoken addition to the IFOCE.
Erik "The Red" Denmark: A talented eater and an intelligent voice for the IFOCE and competitive eating.
Allen "The Shredder" Goldstein: This CE mainstay has a great sense of humor and is always fun to be around.
Dave "US Male" Goldstein: Has a lot of heart and better than average talent, especially in Wings. He's a new friend to "The Black Widow."
Hall "Hoover" Hunt: Loves God, family, and competitive eating. A very intelligent, talented guy.
Tim "Eater X" Janus: Very down-to-earth and focused, with a good sense of humor. Extremely competitive. He knows who he is and what he wants. (Yes, the lady fans keep their focus on him, whether he's eating or not.)
"El Toro" Jimenez: Outgoing, and fun. Even Kobayashi's his fan!
Russell "Black Hole" Keeler: A personable family guy -- a great guy -- and an improving talent in the IFOCE.
Takeru "The Tsunami" Kobayashi: This shy, quiet, reserved gentleman is the greatest eater the world has ever known. He has always been my (and many other people's) hero since day one in CE.
"Jammin" Joe LaRue: An IFOCE mainstay and a great chef!
Juliet Lee: This super nice, very attractive lady is the top-ranked eating mom in the world. She always has a smile and a kind word for everyone. You can visit her at www.julietlee.com. (She's my size too, by the way.)
Rich "The Locust" LeFevre: Youthful Rich is just about the most competitive person in the game. (I'd like to team up with "The Locust" in a 30-minute or longer contest in non-dunking foods against just about any other pair of eaters in the world.)
Erik "Steakbellie" Livingston: A very personable guy -- good talent.
Pete "Philly Guy" Miernicki: Quiet, intelligent, focused.
Justin Mih: One of the better eaters on the circuit and a very nice guy.
Pat "from Moonachie" Philbin: Always has kind words for "The Black Widow!" Love his sense of humor and wit. Pat has always been a force in CE!
"Buffalo" Jim Reeves: A devoted eater and family man. Always a pleasure to be around.
Arturo "The Natural" Rios: This guy is fun, fun, fun and has lots of talent.
Brad Sciullo: This personable newcomer is very talented. He recently announced his retirement, but I hope he reconsiders.
"Beautiful" Brian Seiken: The former Pickle champ tells it like it is on www.beautifulbrian.com. He has a great (dry) sense of humor and is the premier contributor to CE.
Dr. Juris "Big Time" Shibayama: This orthopedic surgeon absolutely loves to compete. He will continue to improve, because he loves the game!
Nobiyuki "The Giant" Shirota: He's not IFOCE, but he's in the news, especially on www.eatfeats.com. I met this second best eater in Japan at Nathan's in 2004 and found him to be an omnitalented gentleman of the sport. He's outgoing, yet humble, and very personable.
"Humble" Bob Shoudt: Has always been a true gentleman at the table and is kind to everyone. He continues to improve and is one of the top two or three Krystal eaters in the world!
Chip :The Phenom" Simpson: A PhD who knows how to operate when devouring large quantities of food quickly. Few in this world are better at it!
"Big" Brian Subich: I forgot to include Brian initially, but he is one of my favorite people, and he's as steady as a rock in his eating performances!
Loren "Bubba" Yarbrough: A dedicated eater and a family man.

2007-12-01; 10:57:59 (A Change in my Competitive Eating Diet):

It's very hard to believe that this year is about to end. It has been a very busy year for me overall, inside, but especially outside of, competitive eating (CE). I am going to make a minor adjustment to my circuit-eating regimen, after reflecting on my CE career and envisioning my participation in the future.

I consider myself a very versatile eater, in that I do well in a wide variety of contests and foods. However, there is one group of contests which, though I perform very well in, are the weakest part of my game. I'm talking about contests at which dunking is allowed. This often includes most breaded or sandwich-type items that are allowed to be submerged in liquid before eating.

The fact is that while I will always be extremely good at them, I will never be the best. There are a handful of eaters who have mastered the dunking technique to a level at which I have little hope to achieve. This is especially true since I do not routinely practice speed-eating: never have, never will. That's just not me.

I feel sort of weird saying these things, but I know what is best for me to feel comfortable with myself and to have peace of mind. Does this mean that I will never compete in another contest where dunking is allowed? No, as everything has an exception once in awhile. But it does mean that I will participate in far fewer events where dunking is permitted. I can only praise those few in the world who have mastered that technique and put up astronomical numbers (i.e. 60+ Nathan's Hot Dogs and Buns, 95+ Krystal Burgers, etc.)

My fans need not worry, however. The vast majority of foods are still wide open for me in competition -- lobster, shrimp, clams, oysters, pasta, beans, soup, turkey, ham, ribs, meatballs, peppers, chicken wings, sushi, and rice, along with various fruits, vegetables, many sweets, and sometimes pizza. (I could go on.)

The bottom line is this: A man has to know both his strengths and his limitations, as well as the strengths and limitations of his competitors if he is to maximize success in any competitive event. I know what mine are, and I often know what those of my competitors are; I will proceed accordingly.