Kobayashi Free; Families Of Dead Animals Cry Injustice

Okay, I made up the last part of that headline.

Check this out, from the Brooklyn Paper:

The former world hot-dog-eating champion, arrested in stunning fashion when he rushed the stage at the July 4 contest in Coney Island, had his case dismissed in court today and walked out a hero.

“I am so happy,” [Takeru Kobayashi] said, as dozens of reporters and photographers captured every move of this wisp of a man from Japan, who was facing jail for trespassing, obstruction of governmental operation and resisting arrest.

When asked if his legal triumph felt greater than his run of six world championships at the Nathan’s contest, he said, “It was a more nervous victory.”

Outside, his fans revelled in the victory — technically an “adjournment in contemplation of dismissal” from Judge Jackie Williams that keeps Koby free if he “stays out of trouble” and does not get arrested.

“The whole arrest was unfair,” said Emi Watanabe, a Japan native wearing a “Free Kobi” T-shirt. “He just wanted to eat and show the world that he could win.”

But Kobayashi was not competing at the July 4 contest because of a contract dispute with Major League Eating, the governing body of all stomach-centric sports. At the end of the 10-minute frankfest, while champion Joey Chestnut was celebrating, Kobayashi rushed the stage, bowed to his fans, and then was arrested for trespassing.