Those expecting a dramatic showdown between Takeru Kobayashi and newly-crowned hot dog eating record holder Joey Chestnut might be disappointed when their turn on their TV’s this Fourth of July, reports Mainichi WaiWai:

He’s due to go for his seventh Nathan’s crown next month, but his manager Kumi Ozeki suggests that Kobayashi’s title defense might be in danger.

“Kobayashi’s mother died in March and he’s currently taking a sabbatical. He’s not even in training,” the hot dog eating champion’s manager tells Shukan Gendai. “I haven’t heard a word from him about whether he’s going to take part in the July contest and there’s no way that I know to get in touch with him.”