Five-time hot-dog eating world champion Joey Chestnut, left, stares down women's record-holder Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas, center, during a weigh-in for contestants in the annual Coney Island Fourth of July international hot-dog eating contest in New York, Tuesday, July 3, 2012, at City Hall Park in New York. The event will take place midday Wednesday, July 4, at Coney Island in Brooklyn. Chestnut will try to break his own world record of downing 68 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. Thomas will headline the women's competition, facing 14 female eaters from the U.S. and Canada. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
July 03, 2012 - 4:56 AM
NEW YORK, N.Y. - The mayor known far and wide for his public health initiatives will preside over the annual weigh-in ceremony for hot dog-eating champions.
Michael Bloomberg will be on hand today for the ceremony at City Hall Park.
Joey Chestnut and Sonya (The Black Widow) Thomas will once again add star power to the event.
They’ll defend their titles Wednesday on Coney Island.
Other top-ranked eaters include Patrick Bertoletti, Eater X Janus and Crazy Legs Conti.
Chestnut is trying to win his sixth straight title.
The 100-pound Thomas will vie against 13 female competitors _ the most in the contest's history.
The Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest has been a New York City tradition for 97 years.
News from © The Associated Press, 2012