Eating Machines Philippines

Eating Machine Profile: Kyle De “The Beast” Guzman

// August 15th, 2009 // Fun Stuff

In war, and cartoons from the 80’s, they say that knowing is half the battle. In competitive eating, or any race for that matter, you’re only really going up yourself and your time, but it still pays to know your competition. More than that, however, 7-11 wants to pay homage to those who have really taken this competition seriously and have honed their skills to almost utmost perfection.

Recently, 7-11 got in touch with the reigning king of the ring, Kyle De “The Beast” Guzman and asked him a few questions about his techniques and competitive eating. He was happy to let us in on his inner most thoughts. Well, at least as far as eating hot dogs with a passion goes. Here’s what he has to say.

7-11:  Please give a brief description of your personal background ( ie. age, profession, etc.)

Kyle De Guzman:  I’m 22 years old, nursing student of University of Pangasinan PHINMA Education network (I’m on my 3rd year now and surviving, I really want to graduate soon, It’s a bit odd for a nursing student doing competitive eating right? hahaha. I guess an interesting fact about me is I only lived here in the Philippines for three and a half years. I actually came back to the Philippines to finish my college. Yes, I’m full Filipino and can understand Tagalog and pangasinan haha.  I’m originally from San Jose, California, yup thats where the Champion Hotdog Eater of the World lives, the incredible Joey “Jaws” Chestnut. I saw him once at Great America Parkway Theme park for a funnel cake eating contest, Man that guy could really eat. I think that’s all I’ll say about myself for now haha.

7-11: How did your interest in competitive eating start?

KDG: I think I got interested once 7-11 started promoting the event. I never thought I’d be in competitive eating. I actually wanted to get into MMA but I think I found something I thought I was good at instead haha. It really have to be 7-11 being the one that got me interested in competitive eating. I mean I know I can eat fast and a lot I just didn’t know it’d be useful or even healthy in my life haha. But I guess things happen for a reason.

7-11: Who is the competitive eater that you look up to the most? Why?

KDG: Pandas! Have you seen how much bamboo they could eat? Freaking 20 - 30 pounds of bamboo shoots! haha but honestly it’d be Joey “Jaws” Chestnut. I’m not jumping the bandwagon here since he beat kobayashi but that guy has been trying really hard to beat Takeru in the past and he finally did it. He has heart and spirit so I give props to him. He’s also a native to San Jose.

7-11: Describe your competitive eating style. What food are you most comfortable with?

KDG: I don’t think I can describe it myself. although my friends usually call me a beast when I eat so I guess that makes me have a veracious style? That’s how I got my nickname but I’m going to just be Bruce Lee about it and say “The style of no style.” I’m more comfortable with any kind of food as long it tastes good to me. I’m not picky really I’m not I Love FOOD haha.

7-11: What are some of the methods or techniques you adapt in order to develop your skill?

KDG: I think it would have to be controlling nausea and the gag reflex. I mean eating fast may be easy for some people but what I find challenging is when your stomach starts to expand and it sends signals to your brain telling your body that its full. Seriously eating 5 hot dogs can be easy but try eating 25 within a 5 minutes span and tell me how you feel haha.. Rhythm is another thing too because if you slow down you can’t keep up the tempo of what you are eating. Bottom line is that its physically and mentally challenging.

7-11: What is your personal record?

KDG: Personal record? Ummm you know the Chow King sulit salo set good for 4? I ate the whole thing in 8 minutes and 38 secs =X

7-11: How did you hear about 7-11’s Big Bite competition? Why do you want to join this competition? How did you prepare for it?

KDG: Quite honestly I didn’t really expect myself to be in a hot dog eating competition haha. Actually my best friend Franky told me about it. In fact, I was studying for my unit test around June and he comes busting through my dorm door screaming “KYLE WE GOT TO DO THIS MAN!!!!” I had no idea 7-11 would hold an eating competition. But yeah he pushed me to it because he believed in my *cough* eating abilities. My first try was 3 mins and 14 secs I didn’t practice or anything I just did it for fun and I was also really hungry that day. But after a lot of people got into it and when the real competition started in July I got addicted to beating other players’ time. After that I started my competitive training regime early July.

7-11: We heard that you record a video of yourself trying to beat the record. What’s the reason behind this?

KDG: I recorded myself so I could see what slows me down and how much of a glutton I look on camera haha. But mostly to see what mistakes I make in the trail run.

7-11: Do you think that competitive eating has already reached its full potential here in the Philippines?

KDG: No I don’t think so but its starting to get big here. I think it’s an awesome idea because people got big appetites here and they got potential. Heck, I’d like to see a rice bowl eating competition, I know a lot of people would join that. Heck I’ll join haha.

7-11: Apart from yourself do you know of anyone or any organization that does competitive eating here in the Philippines?

KDG: No not that I know of, I thought 7-11 is the first one to hold a competitive eating competition in the Philippines. Thank You 7-11!

7-11: How do you think the 7-11 Big Bite Competition will improve the milieu of competitive eating in the Philippines ?

KDG: I think 7-11 will improve the competitive eating competition by opening to the public this new idea of competition, making it become the hype and something different to the society. Not just U.S. or Japan but Philippines can do it too. This would be a great yearly competition haha.

And there you have it, folks. Seems like Kyle is a guy who just loves eating, and who wouldn’t be good at what they love doing, yeah?

Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions, Kyle. We look forward to seeing you at the semis and hopefully at the finals!