Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest Winners 2013: Joey Chestnut and Sonya Thomas Both Retain Titles
The 2013 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest did not disappoint as the Fourth of July tradition entertained fans at New York City's Coney Island.
Defending champion Joey Chestnut entered as a huge favorite to consume the most hot dogs and the American competitive eating champion came through eating a whopping 69 hot dogs in 10 minutes.
The win earned Chestnut a record seventh title after he and Japan's Kobayashi were tied with six as well as a new personal best of 69 hot dogs.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Sonja Thomas, better known as the "Black Widow," was able to hold off newcomer Juliet Lee in the women's competition that was held earlier in the day. Thomas ate just shy of 37 hot dogs compared to Lee's even 36, securing herself as the only women's champion since the event was divided into separate divisions in 2011.
On Twitter, Chestnut and Thomas were being congratulated on their record setting day.
"Maximum respect to joey chestnut for steaming through 68 hotdogs in 10 minutes," wrote Joe. "To win his 6th straight hot dog title. Buzzing off this."
Austin posted, "Ohh man I forgot about the hotdog contest… Joey Chestnut reppin Murica."
"Congrats to Sonya Thomas, the Black Widow, on setting a new record for #nathans4th #hotdog @eatingcontest : 45! #4thofjuly," wrote City Chick.
Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest started almost 100 years ago as entertainment along the famous boardwalk at Coney Island in New York. Deemed as "an American institution" by one competitive eater, the hot dog eating race fittingly occurs every Independence Day.
Last year was the first time the competition separated men and women during the hot dog eating race.
The Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating contest is not the only one of its kind. Other foods have their own competitions, including oysters, hamburgers, jalapenos, and meatballs, among many other items.
