Takeru Kobayashi

Takeru Kobayashi
小林 尊
Takeru Kobayashi at the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest in 2009
Born (1978-03-15) March 15, 1978
Nagano, Japan
Other names"The Tsunami", "Kobi", "The Prince" (in Japan)
Alma materYokkaichi University
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
SpouseMaggie James

Takeru "Tsunami" Kobayashi (小林 尊, Kobayashi Takeru, born March 15, 1978) is a retired Japanese competitive eater. Described as "the godfather of competitive eating", he is a six-time Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest champion and widely credited with popularizing the sport.