Winner: 68 hot dogs in 10 minutes

Women's hot-dog eating record-holder, Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas, right, challenges five-time hot-dog eating world champion Joey "Jaws" 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.

Chestnut, 28 of San Jose, Calif., ate his way to a sixth straight win at the Fourth of July hot dog eating contest at Coney Island, downing 68 in 10 minutes in the sweltering summer heat to take home $10,000 and the mustard yellow belt. Thomas, of Alexandria, Virginia, downed 45 wieners to win the women's competition. She reached her goal of eating 45 in the time limit - her age - and took home her own pink champion's belt and $10,000.

The Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest has been a New York City tradition for 97 years. Tens of thousands of spectators gather to gawk as contestants shimmy, slither and bounce as they dip hot dogs in water and cram them down their throats. For some, it's a painful reminder of excess - especially as the U.S. battles a growing obesity problem. The American Medical Association opposes competitive eating, saying it's harmful to the human body. In addition to beef, hot dogs include salt and various food additives.

In this photo, a pile of hot dogs are seen readied for sampling during a weigh-in for contestants at City Hall Park in New York, July 3, 2012.

Five-time reigning champion Joey Chestnut competes in the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating World Championship, Wednesday, July 4, 2012, at Coney Island, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. Chestnut went on to scarf down 68 hot dogs to win his sixth consecutive Fourth of July hot dog eating contest at Coney Island. His total dog count was equal to more than 20,000 calories.

Tim "Eater X" Janus, left, and five-time reigning champion Joey Chestnut, right, compete in the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating World Championship, Wednesday, July 4, 2012, in the Brooklyn borough of New York.

A man competes in the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating World Championship, Wednesday, July 4, 2012, in the Brooklyn borough of New York.

Tim "Eater X" Janus, left, and five-time reigning champion Joey Chestnut, right, compete in the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating World Championship, Wednesday, July 4, 2012, in the Brooklyn borough of New York.

Five-time reigning champion Joey Chestnut, second competitor from left, competes in his sixth Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating World Championship, Wednesday, July 4, 2012, in the Brooklyn borough of New York.

Tim "Eater X" Janus competes in the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating World Championship, Wednesday, July 4, 2012, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. Janus came in second place with a total of 52 hot dogs eaten.

Five-time reigning champion Joey Chestnut competes in the Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating World Championship while MC and Chairman of Major League Eating George Shea narrates the action, Wednesday, July 4, 2012, in the Brooklyn borough of New York.

Five-time reigning champion Joey Chestnut celebrates after he wins his sixth straight Coney Island hot dog eating contest on Wednesday, July 4, 2012 at Coney Island, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. Chestnut tied his personal best and the record. Last year, Chestnut won with 62 hot dogs. Sonya Thomas downed 45 hot dogs to win the women's competition. The Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest has been a city tradition for 97 years.

Five-time reigning champion Joey Chestnut celebrates after he wins his sixth Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating World Championship with a total of 68 hot dogs and buns, Wednesday, July 4, 2012, at Coney Island, in the Brooklyn borough of New York.

Competitors at Nathan's Famous Women's Hot Dog Eating World Championship gorge themselves against the clock, Wednesday, July 4, 2012, at Coney Island, in the Brooklyn borough of New York.

Juliet Lee competes during the Nathan's Famous Women's Hot Dog Eating World Championship, Wednesday, July 4, 2012, at Coney Island, in the Brooklyn borough of New York.

Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas forces down a hot dog during the Nathan's Famous Women's Hot Dog Eating World Championship, Wednesday, July 4, 2012, at Coney Island, in the Brooklyn borough of New York. Thomas won her second consecutive women's competition with a world record breaking 45 downed hot dogs.

Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas accepts her trophy after she wins Nathan's Famous Women's Hot Dog Eating World Championship, Wednesday, July 4, 2012, at Coney Island, in the Brooklyn borough of New York.

Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas is carried through the crowds after breaking her world record during the Nathan's Famous Women's Hot Dog Eating World Championship, Wednesday, July 4, 2012, at Coney Island, in the Brooklyn borough of New York.

Spectators and contestants watch as New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg chomps down on a Nathan's Famous hot dog following 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.

Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas, waves during a weigh-in for contestants in the annual Coney Island Fourth of July international hot dog-eating contest at City Hall park in New York, Tuesday, July 3, 2012. Thomas, of Alexandria, Va., who weighs 100 pounds, holds more than 30 world hot dog-eating records, is an aerospace engineer in when she's not a competitive eater.

Tourist Ron Stuart of Seattle, Wash., poses for a photograph by a plate of hot dogs following a weigh-in for contestants in the annual Coney Island Fourth of July international hot dog-eating contest at City Hall park in New York, Tuesday, July 3, 2012, as some of the contest's competitors chat among themselves, right.

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.