Zero

Interview

In Odessa came from the United States multiple winner of various competitions in speed eating – the former inhabitant of Odessa Oleg Gornicki. UNIAN asked the champion what it’s like for a few minutes to kilograms is not a very healthy food and why people take part in this unusual “sport”.

Gornicki is a frequent participant in the world of show GluttonBowl on DiscoveryChannel, high-level competition in Atlantic city, Miami, new York / photo by UNIAN

On the occasion of the 225th anniversary of Odessa, which will be celebrated September 2, in town for a few days will be festive activities, including a championship in speed eating gefilte fish. Judge original show will be an American Oleh Gornicki, specially arrived to Ukraine at the invitation of the organizers of the competition.

The foreign guest is the only representative from the CIS-IFECO (international Federation of speed eating). He is a frequent participant in the world of show GluttonBowl on DiscoveryChannel, high-level competition in Atlantic city, Miami, new York. On account of his dozens of records, including world’s: 100 dumplings for a minute, 39 seconds, 4 kg of mayonnaise in 8 minutes, 200 dumplings – 4 minutes, 19 seconds, 16 metabolo – 5 minutes, 20 seconds. It is called legend, a man with an incredible body and a will.

The achievements of this extraordinary man, not suffering from overweight, interested in doctors and a large audience, but for us it is doubly interesting, as he was born and raised in Ukraine, Odessa.

Oleg, why did you decide to do such an unusual “sport” – to eat a lot and speed?

I am the inhabitant of Odessa in the third generation and on the nature – debater: I find it interesting to prove something to someone or to yourself. Used to argue about eating – that is, there were some “pen test” (smiles). In 1999, my family emigrated to the United States… And somehow took him to a friend – the owner of the shop, who suddenly said: “want to eat dumplings?”. As it turned out, soon to be championship competitive eating, and his son party. I lit up and. Decided to try my luck came in the qualifying round has 15 minutes to eat as many dumplings. Imagine, to capacity – one hundred and fifty pieces, and among my opponents were Champions: someone had already ate a hundred, some two hundred, some one hundred and five dumplings. In General, they approved it and swallowed the 150 dumplings for 6 minutes. And ate beautiful – with a fork, not your hands, as is happening at the event. Can’t say ate, but everything was very calm and decent (laughs).And so it begins – September 9, 2001. At the time I was 34 years old.

How many of you wins and which of them are most memorable for you?

Only about twenty. Most memorable was dumplings – the first official win, and mayonnaise – the world championship, which took place in Hollywood. The show was at a very high level. All serious and quite difficult.

What was the difficulty?

When we watch different shows on TV, it seems that the main people on stage. In fact, you’re not wanted. For them the main thing is that the show was spectacular… I Remember we put on the table spoon that just does not fit in the mouth. Not – spoons and scoops! After 15 minutes it starts and I don’t see how it is. “Try on” the spoon, but all, and they need to have looked beautiful…

In addition, all participants had to sign a very interesting contract. To understand all the nuances, they had to bring in an interpreter. The document was a curious paragraph: “if you cause show serious harm, you must pay the penalty $ 1 million, and you don’t think the amount is too big.” To put his signature refused. I was convinced, they say, “paper” is absolutely standard, saying that all do, But I insisted – this point of the document was removed.

What kind of damage you could cause?

The fact of the matter is that it is not prescribed. Well, maybe if someone thought the show ripped off or something… the Conditions were still those… for Example, the recommendation is to list three undesirable for you food. But here is the PostScript: “We will try to accommodate your wishes but cannot guarantee that you will not eat”. That is, signing a contract, people had no idea that he had to eat. It’s a toss. There were a lot of positions – about 12 categories of eating is mayonnaise, hot dogs, butter, sushi, eggs… and even bull testicles. But it is – in the semifinals. And I won in Mayo. Then the finale, in which we ate cow brains.


“Athlete” was telling me what his favorite dish / photo UNIAN

And how much you ate?

About 4 kg for 15 minutes. But took second place, first went to the famous Japanese Takeru Kobayashi. Then the international Federation of the speed of eating has given me very high hopes, because the Japanese many years won, and he had no equal. It is, indeed, incredible. So, at the time of the competition at the hot dogs were already 70 years old. Before coming to Tucker’s record was 26 hot dogs in 8 minutes. I then ate 26 a-half and would be in the form of a champion, if not for the Japanese, who then ate fifty and thus just discredited the competition. Anyway, so today, all in the long jump in two and a half meters, and tomorrow someone will jump five…

In the Federation thought that I was his “beat”, but failed. And, honestly, between his first and my second – a huge gap. After I won the mayonnaise, Tucker came to me and said that life would be so much didn’t eat. Gave me a compliment, of course. He is a nice guy and very popular in Japan. There with his participation, make different shows, even the cartoons are removed so the kids ate well (laughs).

What is your favorite food?

Foods on the grill – meat, vegetables, like Georgian cuisine, Italian. And most importantly – I love simple food – herring, potatoes. But in real life I don’t eat in such huge quantities.

Oleg, these shows except fame, something you have been given?

Probably a little bit of money – in the competition without the prize Fund was not involved. Yes, when you first show on TV and write about you in the newspaper – great. But time passes, and look at it this way… However, I know many Americans for whom the main thing – glory. Maybe due to the fact that they were born in this country, they are supported by the whole house and, I think, some of them for their part are willing to pay… However, these people usually prize-winning places did not occupy. I have always considered the commercial side, which even had a dispute with the Federation. For example, when they insisted on the participation in competitions with no prize money – just for the free travel, accommodation and the Cup. I have these cups for full flat, and to me it’s interesting…

Once refused to the Discovery channel invited me to give a master class. Said, they say, need not show a record result, and to demonstrate how to do it. A kind of free lesson. Say, in such cases, other people they still get paid – for advertising.

It’s all in the money?

If called for an interview, be sure to come. But that suggested to me was, first, difficult. Second, without the stimulus. And it’s not about the money. We had a contest, which is accompanied by motivation in the form of the same adrenaline rush. Believe me, when you eat a race, do not think about finances, and about rivals and dish… But on TV said, “Send for you “Luxury” and everything will be very beautiful.” Why should I car? If a person is doing something what others can not, it should encourage, at least, out of respect for what he does. If I have nothing interesting doing, so I don’t need to show on the Discovery channel. In substance, and answered.

Did you ever have any physiological costs of competition “on gluttony”?

No. And I don’t go to the doctor, do not take any medications.

What do you think the most difficult in such “sport”?

You need to step over the edge. That is, there comes a point when you stop and can’t. Need a second wind. Stepped over that line wins. If you are not able, then you’re second or third.

Your records remain immutable?

Some. In particular, mayonnaise and dumplings.

How did you prepare for such events?

Medication in any way. I can say that before the match we should drink water – you need to stretch the stomach. Can three liters for a few minutes before the competition…Some commit the mistake a day or two fast. But then the stomach is reduced, and at the right time nothing will be able to eat. You should eat normally. The day before the competition, a light meal, drink water, and on the morning of the competition is to have Breakfast. That is, the stomach has to work.


Gornicki gave advice to participants of the championship on speed eating gefilte fish / photo UNIAN

Soon in Odessa championship on speed eating gefilte fish. What advice would you give to participants?

To take this seriously. Repeatedly seen people come to the event with the mood just to eat, but you need to understand that will be difficult. In particular, it is necessary to solve certain technical issues – how to eat and drink water. This is very important. So, you can’t drink too much water as it fills the volume. When you begin to absorb food, the stomach is still empty, and any extra SIP of the liquid takes place. Therefore, the water to dispense, but not to try to swallow without drinking. It can be quite dangerous. For example, I choked during the first races was trying to swallow faster, and got stuck in my throat. Washed down, and the dumpling was not. I have even caught his breath, took a few SIPS of water and he slipped. I confess, at that moment scared. I did not yet have adequate experience, and these competitions, so to say, not the most simple and useful…

What do you do in real life?

In the United States for many years worked as a Manager for a wholesale grocery company. Commerce… In General, regular work, not associated with eating… (laughs).

Larisa Kosova