Interesting sport, or indulgence, but we need to remember half the world is starving or has no clean water.

Richard Lycett, Kidderminster, UK

I couldn't agree more, Mike of Iowa. So many haters. As human beings, we all eat, and this man just eats better than anyone else. We should applaud him not fear him.

Dieter Hopfner, London, UK,

Kobayashi is not only a personal inspiration to me, but he's a visionary and a cunning satirist. Who else could protest the war in Iraq by shovelling hot dogs down his guzzle at record speed? As for his record in munching on calf brains - clearly a thoughtful contribution to the on-going debate on Japan's plummeting birth rate.

'Tsunami' - you will be sorely missed.

Ray, London,

Personally, on a political theme, I agree with Bobby See (perchance a modern philosopher?).

If Maggie "Oooh, lets cause a war to win an election" Thatcher had dedicated her life to the esteemed sport of eating then perhaps the mines, dockyards and steel works of Britain might stillbe open.

And from the looks of things, Prescott and Brown have done their fair share of amateur competition already, so they will be able to approach this debate with insider knowledge.

Elvis Romeril, St Ouen,

This man is a hero? For gods sake, he pushes food down his stomach and an enormous, gut and jaw expanding rate. What is your definition of a hero? Thanfully I have the sense not to hold this dufus up to my kids and say "honey, this is what you should aspire to". Gorging like a Roman profligrant. The only heroic thing I can see is using him as an example of what NOT to be. Devoted stupidity is still stupidity. Grow up already. And get a real job please.

Carol L Williams, Clinton, USA

I saw a documentary on competitive eating in which Kobayashi was interviewed and went over a lot of his training process; it seemed to me that Kobayashi's training process was a lot safer and more sane than that of many of the other competitive eaters out there.

This is a man who has done serious physical training (not only eating, but working on the rest of his body as well) with the goal of stretching the limits of what can be done by the human body.

Hrishikesh, you make it sound as though he was an overweight, compulsive eater, when the truth is the man is quite fit and trained for the sport as an athlete might, analyzing his performances and generally taking care of his body so that he could perform his best. He was very driven to improve on his past performances, however, and I believe that it was that drive that led him to unfortunately ignore the pain in his jaw.

Despite my issues (like Kate's) with competitive eating, I still consider Kobayashi as I would an athlete.

Emily, Irvine, California, USA

Well said, Mike and, might I add, how gracious of an American to applaud the gluttonous prowess of a foreigner.

Bubba, Guzzleburgh, USA

Who cares? He just stuffs his face with food. Gross and irrelevant.

Iain, sydney, australia

Come on, there's no heroisme in ruining his own body.
He says it himself, he ignored his body only for his pride or what not. OK all sportsmen go over their own body limits, but this is just not sport. And about the respect of the world... please excuse me, but proving to the world that he can eat that much is nice, so nice, when some people dream of eating 1/97 of his hamburger stock.

And maybe some people admire Vale, and maybe for a good reason, who knows.

Yacine, Blaenau, Wales

what a shame here mate ur a legand be back 4 nxt year

miggy, dewsbury, yorkshire

I'm not sure that massive eating abilities are necessarily something to glorify. He's no hero. He has impressive abilities - the more so given that he manages to stay so slim - but entertainment aside, what does he contribute to the world? If many people admire him, it is only because they have been force-fed so much "entertainment" that they have lost the ability to look beyond extreme feats and to think for themselves.

That said, I sincerely hope he recovers fully. From what has been reported about him, he seems a good man and a humble one. If he chooses to continue competing, good luck to him. But please. This is a speed eater, not a war hero.

Dave, UK,

There is nothing to admire in devouring obscene amounts of food not through hunger or an eating disorder but simply to win a competition. With so many people starving in the world, only a decadent society could regard such behaviour as being worthy of celebration. The idea of Takeru Kobayashi’s actions being in any way heroic really take the biscuit. (forgive the pun).

Kate Winspur, Melbourne, Australia

You don't measure excellence by admiration, Mike. If Kobayashi taught us anything, it's to identify what we're best at, whatever that may be, and pursue it to the utmost. Fame, fortune and admiration are but distractions. The real reward, Mike, is life.

Damon, New York, NY

Eloquently stated, Mike from Iowa. I salute you sir, and Mr. Kobayashi. Vale simply does not understand the powers of dedication and determination, as so fearlessly displayed by the grand eating champion of the world.

Matt, Madison, WI

Maybe there is none who admires Vale. He needs none of that I guess. Is admiration, fame etc really a thing of "value"? Does it give you better sleep? Kobayashi-san mentions "I didn’t hear the alarm bells ringing".. how could he, his mind was numb with eating. It is not wether gobbling a ton of hot dogs is right or wrong, but being so "un-concious" of what one does with his/her body. And indeed the hoardes who give "value" to such senseless feat. I sincerely pray he recovers from his ailments and gets a chance to repair his body and learn more about himself.

Hrishikesh, London,

I agree with Mike. If Tony Blair had decided to dedicate his life to competitive eating them perhaps he might have done useful.

Bobby See, Jersey, Channel Islands,

Vale -- This man is a hero. How many hot dogs have you eaten in one 12-minute sitting? Until you can best this champion, please speak no ill of him. You say that the man has no respect for himself, but you ignore that the man has the respect of the world. Many people admire Kobayashi, the accomplished competitive eater from Japan. How many people admire Vale, the pseudo-anonymous Internet commenter from Milan?

Mike, West Branch, Iowa, USA

Another time, an example of how a person ca do to win something or be the best, without any respect for his/herself.....without any rules...stop this!

vale, milan, italy