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Kobayashi downs record 337 wings at Pa. Wing Bowl

Japanese competitive eater Takeru Kobayashi eats chicken wings during SportsRadio WIP’s Wing Bowl 2012 eating contest Friday, Feb. 3, 2012 in Philadelphia. Kobayashi won by eating 337 wings. The annual event is held the Friday before the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Japanese competitive eater Takeru Kobayashi reacts after being crowned the winner of SportsRadio WIP’s Wing Bowl 2012 eating contest Friday, Feb. 3, 2012 in Philadelphia. Kobayashi won by eating 337 chicken wings. The annual event is held the Friday before the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Japanese competitive eater Takeru Kobayashi playfully takes a bite of his $20,000 check after winning SportsRadio WIP’s Wing Bowl 2012 eating contest Friday, Feb. 3, 2012 in Philadelphia. Kobayashi won by eating 337 chicken wings. The annual event is held the Friday before the Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

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The Associated Press Updated 12:26 AM Saturday, February 4, 2012

PHILADELPHIA — Competitive-eating champ Takeru Kobayashi (tah-kah-roo koh-bee-yah-shee) conquered Philadelphia's annual gustatory gorge-fest by eating 337 chicken wings in a half-hour before a crowd of nearly 20,000 at Wing Bowl XX.

The Japanese phenom demolished the record of 255 set last year by Jonathan "Super" Squibb.

The Friday morning extravaganza drew thousands to the Wells Fargo Center before sunrise to watch competitors stuff themselves with chicken wings.

Kobayashi claimed a $20,000 cash prize for his victory. It was the six-time Nathan's Hot Dog eating contest champ's first time competing at Wing Bowl, though he consumed a cheesesteak in 24 seconds as part of an eating exhibition last year.

Squibb had been trying to win his fourth consecutive Wing Bowl crown, but the Berlin, N.J., man finished a distant second with 271 wings.

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February 04, 2012 05:22 AM EST

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