Kobayashi eats record 337 chicken wings

Japanese competitive eater Takeru Kobayashi looks up as he eats chicken wings during Wing Bowl 2012 on Feb. 3, 2012 in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

PHILADELPHIA - Competitive-eating champ Takeru Kobayashi conquered Philadelphia's annual gustatory gorge-fest by eating 337 chicken wings in a half-hour before a crowd of nearly 20,000 at Wing Bowl XX.

The Japanese phenom demolished the record of 255 set last year by Jonathan "Super" Squibb.

The Friday morning extravaganza drew thousands to the Wells Fargo Center before sunrise to watch competitors stuff themselves with chicken wings. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the competition featured two 14-minute rounds, followed by a 2-minute round of sprint eating.

Kobayashi claimed a $20,000 cash prize for his victory. It was the six-time Nathan's Hot Dog eating contest champ's first time competing at Wing Bowl, though he consumed a cheesesteak in 24 seconds as part of an eating exhibition last year.

Kobayashi boasted through an interpreter, "I could probably eat another 100 wings or so. "Not really fast, I'd have to take my time. But if you brought me 100 more I could eat them."

Squibb had been trying to win his fourth consecutive Wing Bowl crown, but the Berlin, N.J., man finished a distant second with 271 wings.

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by Voiceofreasonable February 4, 2012 4:14 PM EST

Re: EmpireGeorge commentary: There are no tests showing wheat stalks are sentient beings that feel pain. Your use of the word "murder" referring to crop harvesting is ludicrous. We don't say we are "killing" or "butchering" vegetables, do we? Killing animals, regardless of whose idea it is to breed them in the first place, IS murder, plain and simple. Justify it if you will, but look at your plate when you have finished eating and see where the blood is.

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by realtimecoffee February 4, 2012 8:19 PM EST: Herbicidal manic!


by bobnjersey February 4, 2012 2:20 PM EST: [Japanese competitive eater Takeru Kobayashi looks up as he eats chicken wings during Wing Bowl 2012 on Feb. 3, 2012 in Philadelphia]
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how many could he have done without the red headband?; Reply to this comment


by royrogers1948 February 4, 2012 8:50 AM EST: I had 8 last night for dinner and was full. they must to have been those tiny wings you get at Kentucky Fried Chicken.; Reply to this comment


by nadelio February 4, 2012 7:53 AM EST: Why is there always a skinny Japanese who wins? I don't see an American fat """ winning. I guess Kobayashi fasts a whole year before that, whereas Americans stuff themselves all year round and can't compete. And what kind of achievement is that when millions in the world are hungry? Sheeesh. Disgusting.; Reply to this comment


by micmac666 February 3, 2012 9:50 PM EST: "You eat your dinner
Eat your pork and beans
I eat more chicken any man's ever seen
Yeah, I'm your back-door man!"-Jim Morrison; Reply to this comment


by Catch22ofNJ February 3, 2012 9:26 PM EST: At first glance, I thought that he also ate his thumb on his left hand. Now THAT would be gluttony.; Reply to this comment


by GollyRojer February 3, 2012 9:06 PM EST: What better accomplishment could there be to be forgotten -- I mean, remembered -- for?; Reply to this comment


by Nate650 February 3, 2012 7:47 PM EST: Thankfully, the saturated fat in that chicken skin is good for you! :)

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-3445_162-57328292/singing-the-praises-of-fat/; Reply to this comment


by meatrex1 February 3, 2012 6:36 PM EST: Kobayashi is bringing the sexy back. Joey Chestnutt better get his game on; hound dog is on his trail.; Reply to this comment