Annual NY hot dog eating contest kicks off

Wednesday July 4, 2012 11:00 AM

NEW YORK (AP) — Coney Island is preparing for some major-league eating.

Two reigning champion chowers and their challengers are gathering for New York's annual July Fourth hot dog eating contest in Brooklyn.

Joey Chestnut is vying for his sixth straight victory. He holds the record of 68 hot dogs and buns in the 10-minute showdown.

Chestnut hails from San Jose, Calif. He says he couldn't care less about breaking his record, he just wants to win.

Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas, of Alexandria, Va., says she wants to beat her own record of 41 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. She's aiming for 45 in the women's competition.

The winners get $10,000.

The Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest has been a city tradition for 97 years.

©2013 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Currently in Columbus
86°
Partly Cloudy

Today

Full schedule
8:00
2 Broke Girls
8:30
CBS Rules Of Engagement
9:00
The Big Bang Theory
9:30
Mike & Molly
10:00
Hawaii Five-0
11:00
10TV News @ 11PM
11:35
Late Show with David Letterman