Legendary scoffer Takeru "The Tsunami" Kobayashi will turn his attentions to pizza after landing up in a New York court Thursday for rushing the stage at this year’s Nathan's hotdog eating contest, TMZ reported.
Kobayashi, 32 -- who was six times champion between 2001 and 2006 -- appeared in a Brooklyn courtroom Thursday accused of resisting arrest, trespassing and obstructing governmental administration during the July 4 spat on Coney Island.
He was not participating in the event due to a contract dispute but he showed up anyway. Cops carted Kobayashi away after he made a bid to get on stage.
Joey “Jaws” Chestnut guzzled his way to a fourth consecutive championship in Kobayashi's absence, wolfing down 54 dogs in 10 minutes.
The former champ had moral support for his court date Thursday from a handful of female fans who gathered outside the court wearing t-shirts and waving banners reading: “Free Kobi.”
They were not to be denied, as inside a judge agreed to let Kobayashi off without further punishment so long as the New York-based eating champ stays out of trouble for six months, according to the celebrity website.
Speaking afterwards through a Japanese translator, Kobayashi said he had "no regrets" over the incident that came in the "midst of excitement."
He also revealed that he was turning his attention towards pizza, and would be entering an upcoming contest in Canada to munch as many slices as possible.
When asked if Kobayashi was thinking of entering next year's Coney Island hotdog eating contest, his translator replied: "He is not even thinking about it."
