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Takeru Kobayashi May Miss Coney Island Hot Dog Eating Contest

By DNAinfo Staff on July 2, 2010 10:03am  | Updated on July 2, 2010 11:57am

Former champion Takeru Kobayashi bites a hot dog at the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest official weigh-in ceremony July 2, 2009 in New York City.
Former champion Takeru Kobayashi bites a hot dog at the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest official weigh-in ceremony July 2, 2009 in New York City.
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Mario Tama/Getty Images

By Nina Mandell

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

MANHATTAN — The Coney Island Hot Dog Eating Contest has found itself in a pickle.

Competitive eating star Takeru Kobayashi of Japan, who moved to New York earlier this year, said he wants to compete in the competition but doesn’t have a contract with the contest, ESPN New York reported.

The six-time Coney Island champion is looking to climb back to the top of the hot dog-eating mountain after being dethroned by American Joey Chestnut, who's won the last three years. Last year Chestnut downed a mind-boggling 68 dogs in 10 minutes for a new world record, while Kobayashi gulped a measly 64 and half franks.

The winner of the contest takes home $20,000 and the official mustard title.

Reigning champion Joey Chestnut (l.) ate 64 hot dogs last year to beat former champion Takeru Kobayashi (r.) at the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest .
Reigning champion Joey Chestnut (l.) ate 64 hot dogs last year to beat former champion Takeru Kobayashi (r.) at the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest .
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Mario Tama/Getty Images

But before they can have a rematch, Kobayashi has to agree to an exclusivity contract with Major League Eating, the group that runs the Coney Island competition as well as most other competitive eating events. Competitors must sign a deal with MLE to compete, but are paid through their own individual endorsements and prize money, according to the Wall Street Journal.

This is a common clause used in fringe sports contracts, including the UFC.

But Kobayashi refuses to sign it, leaving his entrance into this year's hot dog eating contest looking unlikely.

“I really want to compete in the event,” he told a Japanese news agency.

Kobayashi and Chestnut are bitter rivals, who last squared off in the Krystal Square Off Finals, where Kobayashi chowed down 68 burgers compared to Chestnut's 56.

But Kobayashi didn't compete in Chestnut's latest big victory when he ate 41 slices of Pizza Hut pizza in 10 minutes.

Many competitors think that the 31-year-old Kobayashi, who has slipped to a third in the Major League Eating Rankings, wants to retire and is using the contract dispute as an excuse, the Journal reported.

Taleru Kobayashi (left) may not compete in this year's hot dog eating contest.
Taleru Kobayashi (left) may not compete in this year's hot dog eating contest.
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Flickr/dietrich