Women's hot-dog eating record-holder, Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas, right, challenges five-time hot-dog eating world champion Joey Chestnut, left, during a weigh-in for contestants in the annual Coney Island Fourth of July international hot-dog eating contest, Tuesday, July 3, 2012, at City Hall Park in New York. The event will take place midday Wednesday, July 4, at Coney Island, Brooklyn. Chestnut will try to break his own world record of downing 68 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. Thomas, who weighs 100 pounds, will headline the women's competition, facing 14 female eaters from the U.S. and Canada. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
July 04, 2012 - 12:57 PM
NEW YORK, N.Y. - The Black Widow of competitive eating wins again.
Sonya Thomas, of Alexandria, Va., beat her own record by gobbling down 45 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes to win the women's competition at the annual Coney Island contest.
The petite Thomas, who goes by "Black Widow," wins $10,000. The previous record was 41 dogs and buns in 10 minutes.
Juliet Lee, of Germantown, Md., took second place with 33 and claims $5,000. Lee also won second last year.
The Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest has been a city tradition for 97 years.
Joey Chestnut is vying for his sixth straight title in the men's competition.
News from © The Associated Press, 2012