TOKYO: A speed-eating contest in Japan took the life of a 28-year-old man after he choked on a rice ball, event organiser said on Tuesday. “The man, whose name was withheld, died in the hospital three days after choking,” said a cooperative of local farmer, who sponsored the event in Hikone. Contestants competed to see who could eat five “onigiri” balls the quickest. “The man shoved his fifth rice ball into his mouth before passing out and was rushed to a local hospital where he died,” the organiser said.