WORLD> Newsmaker
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WORLD> Newsmaker
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Eating titan devours 11-lb of chicken saute in 12 min
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-07-28 10:40 Chestnut brushed off critics who say the competitions are grotesque spectacles and in poor taste with so much hunger in the world. "There are always critics," said Chestnut. "Not everyone likes football either." Sports channel ESPN broadcasts two eating competitions a year and Spike channel shows four, said Major League Eating spokesman Ryan Nerz, who was also the contest's announcer. Nerz insisted competitive eating is a legitimate sport, and Kobayashi and Chestnut are world-class athletes. "This is like Ali-Frazier, Federer-Nadal," he said. Yet during the contest, he acknowledged the competition's circus-like appeal.
"I'm astonished, I'm appalled, I'm shocked," Nerz bellowed into a microphone as Kobayashi and Chestnut shoveled food into their mouths. The competition forms part of Singapore's bid to fashion the city-state as a more hip and attractive place to live. The event was part of the Singapore Food Festival, which sought to present "unique dining experiences with a host of interactive events," the Singapore Tourist Board said in a statement. "Singapore rarely gets events like this so I think it's good," said Rachel Tan, a 21-year-old student. "It's entertaining, but I also feel a little sick after watching that." At least one Singaporean was left ecstatic by the event. Rosalind Sim, 52, won the amateur undercard by scarfing down 2 Carl's Jr. double cheeseburgers in 12 minutes. The advertising salesperson was awarded a gift certificate for 500 Singapore dollars (US$368) at Swensen's ice cream restaurant. "I can't believe I won," she said. "I eat for fun." |
