it's kobayashi's sport. even though chestnutt has one it the last few years, nobody would give a fuck if a 135lb japanese kid didn't win it 7 years in a row. nobody would know anything about "competive eating", nathans hot dogs, or even the whole hot dog eating contest.
nobody knew what the fuck the "tour de france" was until greg lemond won so many times. it doesn't matter what it cost, they owe it to kobayashi to have him there competing.