Holiday in Japan top prize in sushi competition
SUSHI lovers can win themselves a visit to Japan by taking part in this brutal eating challenge — put down 50 pieces of sushi along with a wasabi rice ball in under one minute 42 seconds.
Southern Courier
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SUSHI lovers are being sought to take part in a highly competitive eating competition.
Those brave or foolhardy enough to take part will need to finish 50 pieces of sushi along with a wasabi rice ball in just 10 minutes at Niji Sushi in Kingsford.
However, if you want to win the first prize — a return flight to Tokyo — then you will have to demolish the platter in under one minute 42 seconds.
The time is the record of human food vacuum and reigning champion for the past three years, Isaac Harding-Davis.
While the Central Coast competitor is yet to register, he is expected to return to defend his title.
“We have 14 signed up already but we are looking for 25 so we still have spaces,” Raji Khannal, Niji Sushi’s managing director, said.
“Of the 25, perhaps five of them travel around and do all these competitions. There is more to it than you think.”
Giving it her best shot for the Southern Courier will be NewsLocal reporter Louise Starkey.
It is $50 to enter but anyone who completes the challenge in less than 10 minutes will be reimbursed.
If the winner beats Mr Harding-Davis’s time they will get the return flights to Japan.
If the first-placed finisher doesn’t beat the time then they will walk away with $500. For the runner-up the prize is $200.
It isn’t just a case of wolfing down the sushi as fast as you can. There are tactics and competitors have strict preparation regimes.
“The morning before the event they will drink lots of water so their stomachs expand,” Mr Khannal said.
“Then they make sure there is a continuous flow of sushi going in.”
Other preparations include stomach stretching and intense exercise just before so the body craves food.
Others have what they call a “max out meal’ 24 hours before in an attempt to expand their stomach for the following day.
To enter the sushi challenge, visit nijisushi.com.au.
Sushi challenge
■ WHERE: Niji Sushi, 333 Anzac Parade, Kingsford.
■ WHEN: Monday, March 19, 6pm.
■ ENTRY COST: $50. Fee reimbursed for those who finish within 10 minutes.
■ RULES: Contestants can’t leave the table. Once the time has finished they must put their hands by their side and they have 15 seconds to finish what is in their mouth.