Chestnut wins 6th straight title, downs 68 dogs - NEWS10 ABC: Albany, New York News, Weather, Sports

Chestnut wins 6th straight title, downs 68 dogs

NEW YORK (AP) - Joey Chestnut won his sixth straight Coney Island hot dog eating contest.

The San Jose, Calif., man known as "Jaws" scarfed down 68 hot dogs and buns to win Wednesday in Brooklyn. He takes home $10,000 and a mustard-yellow champion's belt.

The total tied his personal best and the record. Last year, Chestnut won with 62 hot dogs.

Second place went to Tim Janus with 52 hot dogs, who takes home $5,000. He was third last year.

Chestnut is now tied with is former rival, Takeru Kobayashi, with six wins. Kobayashi did not compete.

Sonya Thomas, of Alexandria, Va., downed 45 hot dogs to win the women's competition.

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.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)