Japanese hot dog eating champ is in legal hot water, but NY judge frees him

NY judge frees Japanese eating champ after fracas

NEW YORK — Japanese eating champion Takeru Kobayashi (tah-KEH’-roo koh-bah-YAH’-shee) has been freed after a night in a New York jail over a hot dog scuffle.

Kobayashi wore a black T-shirt bearing the message “Free Kobi” as he pleaded not guilty in Brooklyn on Monday to charges of obstruction of governmental administration, resisting arrest, trespassing and disorderly conduct.

He had jumped onstage after Sunday’s annual Fourth of July hot dog eating contest at Coney Island that he sat out because of a contract dispute.

Kobayashi said Monday that he’d gone there as a spectator, but fans began chanting for him. He says he went onstage “in the heat of it,” hoping officials would let him participate.

Joey “Jaws” Chestnut of San Jose, Calif., won the contest. He downed 54 hot dogs in 10 minutes.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

NEW YORK (AP) — Japanese eating champion Takeru Kobayashi (tah-KEH’-roo koh-bah-YAH’-shee) is facing legal charges in New York following an incident at Brooklyn’s Fourth of July hot dog contest.

Kobayashi was awaiting a court appearance on Monday.

Kobayashi says a contract dispute had kept him out of Sunday’s competition. But he showed up anyway, jumped onstage, and was handcuffed after wrestling with police.

The district attorney’s office said he’s charged with obstruction of governmental administration. He’s also charged with resisting arrest, trespassing and disorderly conduct.

The name of his attorney was not immediately known.

The contest winner was Joey “Jaws” Chestnut of San Jose, Calif. He downed 54 hot dogs in 10 minutes.