James Angami (2nd from left) winner of the Naga king chilly eating competition organised by XL group during Hornbill Festival held at Kisama on December 6. 2010. (DIPR File Photo)
Dimapur| January 8 : For James Angami, eating the fiery Raja chilli is like a little boy savouring his candy. Without flinching, the man can eat upto 70 Raja chillies, or so he claims. Winner of the ‘Raja chilli eating competition’ at the 2010 Hornbill festival held at Kisama, James consumed 8 Raja chillies in 30 seconds! He was prepared to eat more had there been no time limit, James said.
Naga man eats 20 Raja chillies everyday
A must-have ingredient during all his meals, James has been eating the world’s hottest chilli since the age of 8. He claims to eat atleast 20 Raja chillies everyday; either raw or made into chutney. He has dozens of pickled Raja chillies kept in jars at his home in Kohima, he said. James said that he cannot eat his food without the chilli. Miraculously, after consuming several thousands of Raja chilli all these years, James, who is now 21 years old, has never had health problems. “I have never suffered from heart burns or other gastrointestinal problems,” he claimed.
Speaking about the competition, James said he was prepared to eat atleast 40 to 50 Raja chillies. Not only did James relish his favourite spice, he also walked away with a cash prize of Rs. 10,000- none of that spent on visiting a doctor! 8 chillies was an easy task for him, he said; though he jokingly added: “the Raja was very hot…”
“This boy…he is different,” Niu, James’s guardian said describing his ward. Niu said that the pickled chilli aroma in the house is so strong it sometimes affects his mucous membrane. He also adds that it’s a wonder the boy has never complained of ailments in his life. The guardian also said that James is interested in entering more Raja chilli eating contest in future. “Please let us know if there are any competitions like this,” Niu requested this Reporter.
Naga man eats 20 Raja chillies everyday
A must-have ingredient during all his meals, James has been eating the world’s hottest chilli since the age of 8. He claims to eat atleast 20 Raja chillies everyday; either raw or made into chutney. He has dozens of pickled Raja chillies kept in jars at his home in Kohima, he said. James said that he cannot eat his food without the chilli. Miraculously, after consuming several thousands of Raja chilli all these years, James, who is now 21 years old, has never had health problems. “I have never suffered from heart burns or other gastrointestinal problems,” he claimed.
Speaking about the competition, James said he was prepared to eat atleast 40 to 50 Raja chillies. Not only did James relish his favourite spice, he also walked away with a cash prize of Rs. 10,000- none of that spent on visiting a doctor! 8 chillies was an easy task for him, he said; though he jokingly added: “the Raja was very hot…”
“This boy…he is different,” Niu, James’s guardian said describing his ward. Niu said that the pickled chilli aroma in the house is so strong it sometimes affects his mucous membrane. He also adds that it’s a wonder the boy has never complained of ailments in his life. The guardian also said that James is interested in entering more Raja chilli eating contest in future. “Please let us know if there are any competitions like this,” Niu requested this Reporter.
