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July 6, 2012

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Chestnut scarfs down 68 dogs to retain title

JOEY Chestnut ate his way to a sixth straight win at the Fourth of July hot dog eating contest at Coney Island on Wednesday, downing 68 to tie his personal best in a sweaty, gag-inducing spectacle.

Last year, the 28-year-old San Jose, California, man nicknamed "Jaws" won with 62 hot dogs. He bested his main rival this year by 16 dogs, scarfing down all 68 in 10 minutes in the sweltering summer heat to take home US$10,000 and the mustard yellow belt. The hot dogs contained more than 20,000 calories combined.

"I feel good, it was a great win," Chestnut said after the contest. "I tried my best. I'm looking forward to next year already."

Second place went to Tim Janus of New York with 52 hot dogs, who received US$5,000. Third place went to Patrick Bertoletti of Chicago with 51, who won US$2,500.

Chestnut was neck-and-neck with competitors during the first half of the contest, but he pulled ahead in the remaining minutes, choking down dog after dog, while other competitors slowed as the clock wound down.

"I'm happy to come out with the win," he said.

Chestnut is now tied with his former rival, Takeru Kobayashi, for consecutive wins. The slim Japanese champ held the record for hot dog eating from 2001 to 2007, when he was unseated by Chestnut.

But two years ago, after refusing to sign an exclusive contract with Major League Eating, he was banned from competition. He showed up anyway, wearing a T-shirt that said "Free Kobi," rushed the stage and was arrested, but charges were later dropped.

Last year, the Japanese native nicknamed the "Tsunami" held an unofficial contest from a rooftop on ritzy Fifth Avenue, eating near a giant plasma TV airing the official competition live.

He competed in a different eating contest on Wednesday.

Sonya Thomas, of Alexandria, Virginia, downed 45 wieners to win the women's competition for the second straight year. Known as the "Black Widow," she reached her goal of eating 45 in the time limit - her age - and took home her own pink champion's belt and US$10,000.





 

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