On September 7, 2011, Takeru Kobayashi swallowed 49 hot dogs in 10 minutes, earning him $5000 and the crown of the 3rd Annual West Coast Hot Dog-Eating Championship (WCHDEC) hosted by The Derby Deli & Dueling Piano Bar on Labor Day.

Although not Kobayashi’s personal best, his total smashed the WCHDEC 2010 record of 29.5 hot dogs in 12 minutes by two-time first-place winner, Thomas “Goose” Gilbert.   This year, with only a 10-minute clock, Gilbert came in second for $2500 with 29 hot dogs.  Peter “Furious Pete” Czerwinski followed at third for $1000 with 25; Rich LeFevre at fourth for $750 with 23.75; Johnnie Excel at fifth for $500 with 22.75; and Naader Reda at sixth for $250 with 17.

Kobayashi confirmed today that he will compete in the 2012 WCHDEC and next year will be all about redemption.  “I will be back to prove myself next year.  My entire focus will be on training for The Derby’s West Coast Championship and beating my own world record,“ Kobayashi promises. 

Due to overwhelming interest from some of the world’s top-ranked eaters, including several contracted with The Derby’s East-Coast rival, the 2012 WCHDEC prize purse will double to $20,000.  “Our goal is to bring in the highest level of competition as Kobi defends his title,” stated Dan Lauriano, owner of The Derby and founder of the WCHDEC.

The first of several open preliminary contests, leading up to the 2012 Championship next Labor Day, will be held on January 28, 2012 at The Derby Deli & Dueling Piano Bar.
 
Information will be available at www.derbymv.com or by calling 949-582-5397.