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Competitive Eating Icon Takeru Kobayashi Announces Retirement in New Netflix Documentary
In a recently released Netflix documentary, Takeru Kobayashi, a renowned Japanese competitive eater and six-times Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest winner, disclosed his retirement. He explained that his health complications, primarily a loss of appetite, pushed him to make this decision.
The Competitive Eater’s Journey
At 46, Kobayashi divulged about his medical worries in the film titled “Hack Your Health: The Secrets of Your Gut”. He confided that throughout his two-decade career, he consumed approximately 10,000 hot dogs.
Declining hunger no longer allows him to participate in eating competitions, he stated in the documentary. The sight of people delighting in food and appearing gratified post meals triggered envy in him as he has lost the sensation of hunger.
Kobayashi’s Health Concerns
The educational film spotlighted the lives of four different individuals dealing with separate digestive health issues. It shed light on Kobayashi’s appetite deficiencies, leading him to skip meals for days at a time. He openly questioned the damage he may have inflicted on his body due to his eating competition career.
After going through a chain of medical examinations, Kobayashi learned that his gut microbiome seemed healthy, but his brain scans raised concerns. This alarming revelation was the turning point which led to his retirement.
Kobayashi’s Retirement and Future
Expressing his mixed feelings, Kobayashi stated, “I’ve decided to retire from competitive eating. It’s all I’ve done for the last 20 years. I am worried about what my next step will bring, but I am also excited about my future.”
Despite backing off from competitive eating, Kobayashi is not saying goodbye to hot dogs. Drawing inspiration throughout his career from hot dogs rather than competitive eating, he dreams of designing a healthier version of the popular fast food by amalgamating it with nutritious Japanese ingredients.
Moving Forward
In anticipation of his next steps, Kobayashi’s fans worldwide look forward to seeing his creativity and dedication in this new phase of his life. Notably, his influence on competitive eating has left a lasting legacy in the realm of sports.
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