BROOKLYN — Joey "Jaws" Chestnut gobbled 68 hot dogs in 10 minutes to take home the title at Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest Wednesday on Coney Island.
Chestnut tied his personal best and record by swallowing 68 franks, marking his sixth-straight victory in the annual competition.
"I just love the competition. I get into a rhythm and I push myself," Chestnut said after the contest. "Once I'm in a good rhythm I can just dance the hot dogs down."
Chestnut, of California, remains the No. 1 ranked eater in the world.
The 105-pound Sonya Thomas, known as the "Black widow," wolfed down 45 hot dogs to win the women's competition.
"I broke my own record, 41 to 45," said Thomas, who turned 45 this year and wanted to eat her age in hot dogs. "I said for my goal today, I'm going to do 45 no matter what."
Mikey Monaghan, who traveled from Putnam Valley, N.Y. to witness his first Nathan's contest, was rooting to see some records.
"I think I liked it more than the Superbowl," said Monaghan, 17. "I was hoping [Chestnut] would do 70, but I'm proud he got to 68."
Thousands of people packed the intersection of Surf and Stillwell avenues in the bright sun, where the original Nathan's is located.
The crowd broke out into chants of "USA! USA! USA!" during the competition.
When asked when he might possibly be able to eat another dog Chestnut said, "Probably the next time I go to a baseball game I'll have a hot dog."
