38-year-old Masahiro Kato eats 241 bowls of Wanko Soba noodles

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

http://www.wordpress.tokyotimes.org/index.php?cat=2



Over the weekend, Hanamaki in Iwate Prefecture held its annual noodle-eating contest, an event that saw around 160 contestants wolf down incredible amounts of Wanko Soba.

Now, with a name like wanko, the amusingly named buckwheat noodles could easily become an endless source of mirth and merriment, although thankfully not on Tokyo Times; such schoolboy fun potentially drawing attention away from Masahiro Kato’s winning wanko tally of 241 (bowls).



It seems that along with incredible stamina, the 38-year-old’s technique could well have been a contributing factor in his second straight title, as by using both hands, the soba specialist was able to deftly manipulate his bowls, allowing him to get in as much wanko as possible. The super slurper also kept his movements smooth and methodical, whilst at the same time avoiding any excessive tugging or jerking; an essential approach for anyone hoping to successfully beat off the opposition.

Unfortunately – and apparently not for the first time – controversy played its part in the proceedings, with several contestants claiming that Kato-san had been given a helping hand by one of the waitresses. An accusation the champion strenuously denies.

[billyskank]

1. There's a headline you don't get to write every day

:)

[MrSlayer]

2. With all the starving people in the world.

Some jerkoff gets to eat 241 bowls of noodles for no good reason. Eating contests are disgraceful.

[oneighty]

3. Mmm Soba

Cannot eat just one bowl.

180

[BikeWriter]

4. It would take me six months to eat that!

[JVS]

5. interesting phrasing here

"avoiding any excessive tugging or jerking; an essential approach for anyone hoping to successfully beat off the opposition."

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

6. Japanese bloggers LOVE to fly under the radar...

...just because it's a "conservative" society, that doesn't mean they don't feel the need to scratch the itch like the rest of us...

:toast: