Joey Chestnut low folder 69 francs at the Coney Island competition

Joey Chestnut won famous fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Nathan with a total of 69 of the hot dogs and buns. Photo: John Minchillo/AP

Joey Chestnut ate 69 francs, devouring his own record in men's famous Nathan eating contest fourth of July International Hot Dog Thursday. Sonya Thomas defended his title in the women's competition.

Chestnut, who is from San Jose, California and is known as Jaws, eaten a wiener more than its previous record to capture the champion of yellow mustard belt. Later, he said he was motivated by the prestige, not the money of the $10,000 prize. "I would do it for nothing," he said.

Thomas, a dynamo of CWT, known as the black widow of eating competition, wolfed down nearly 37 Wieners in the accuracy to win the women's title.

Chestnut, 29, is a winner seven times which established the previous record - 68 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes - in 2009 and equalled in 2012. Thomas, 45, powered through 45 dogs to take the women's title last year and also won in 2011, the first woman of the year participated separately.

Chestnut, who weighs 210lb, had said his rhythm was uneven in the past, but "this year I am eating a little more gracefully, to conserve my energy. The second place finisher was Matt Stonie, who chomped to low 51 hot dogs. Chestnut has now beaten his rival, Takeru Kobayashi, who has won six times. Kobayashi participated in a different contest Thursday.

Thomas went toe-to-toe with Juliet Lee women's price of $5,000. Thomas finished with 36 and dogs by three quarters; Lee ate 36 Wieners. Thomas said the challenge of shoveling down dozens of francs is actually "more mental than physical. "I have to fight with me, so I'll try to really concentrate," said Thomas, of Alexandria, Virginia, where she manages a fast-food restaurant.

Now in its 98th edition, the contest draws crowds of thousands to marvel at cramming of Frankfurter competitors in their throat. Ginger Perry, 47, of obion County, Tennessee, said she and her family planned their holiday New York City around the competition, after watching it on TV in the past. Perry was impressed that Coney Island has recovered so well to be slammed by Hurricane Sandy last October. "It's amazing to be here and that they have rebuilt so quickly," she said.

Hot dog competition took place despite concerns about balancing observation tower, components that led to the closure of parts of the nearby amusement park. The judgment did not affect of Nathan, but famous Cyclone roller coaster at Coney Island and other rides were closed. Workers used a crane to dismantle the tower.

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