Japanese eating champion Kobayashi faces NY judge over July 4th arrest in hot dog fracas

Eating champ faces NY judge over July 4th arrest

NEW YORK — Japanese eating champion Takeru Kobayashi (tah-KEH’-roo koh-bah-YAH’-shee) is facing a New York judge following his arrest over a Fourth of July frank fracas.

The six-time champion ignored a media throng Thursday as he arrived at a Brooklyn courthouse.

A contract dispute had kept Kobayashi out of the annual Nathan’s Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest. He showed up anyway.

Kobayashi says he leaped onstage in the heat of a fan frenzy. His lawyer says officials waved him onstage.

He has pleaded not guilty to obstruction of governmental administration, resisting arrest, trespassing and disorderly conduct.

Joey “Jaws” Chestnut, of San Jose, Calif., won by downing 54 hot dogs in 10 minutes. In 2009, Chestnut ate 68 dogs, four more than Kobayashi.