Joey Chestnut wins record seventh Nathan’s hot dog eating contest

Joey Chestnut, the California king of eating contests, has won the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest for an unprecedented seventh year in a row by finishing off a record 69 wieners and buns in 10 minutes on Thursday at Coney Island, N.Y.

The 29-year-old from San Jose had set the record with 68 hot dogs in 2009 and tied it last year. You can see his technique in ESPN’s Sports Science video above.

Chestnut eclipsed the record of six victories by former rival Takeru Kobayashi. Matt Stone finished in a distant second place with 51 hot dogs.

Even though he pockets $10,000 for the victory, Chestnut claimed that he’d “do this for nothing.”

For the first time, women competed separately from men.

Sonya Thomas of Alexandria, Va., claimed the victory by matching her age with 49 hot dogs, easily beating runner-up Juliet Lee, who finished with 36.

Thomas, a fast-food restaurant manager known as the “Black Widow,” said the secret to eating so many hot dogs is mental.

“I have to fight with myself, so I’m going to try to really focus,” Thomas said before the contest.

ALSO:

Nationals Manager Davey Johnson talks about Ouija board lineup

More evidence found at Aaron Hernandez apartment, police report

Sabine Lisicki outlasts Agnieszka Radwanska in Wimbledon semifinal