Hot dog eating champions crowned at Coney Island

Eric Thayer / Reuters

Joey Chestnut ate a record-tying 68 hot dogs to take the 2012 Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Eating Contest crown at Brooklyn's Coney Island.

John Minchillo / AP

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 at Coney Island in Brooklyn. Thomas won her second consecutive women's competition with 45 downed hot dogs.

Joey "Jaws" Chestnut won his sixth straight Coney Island hot dog eating contest by consuming 68 hot dogs and buns, and Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas downed 45 hot dogs to win the women's competition.

Both champs take home the Mustard Belt and $10,000 in prize money.

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