Man Eats 61 Hot Dogs And Proposes

Joey "Jaws" Chestnut gobbles 61 hot dogs to retain his title, while women's division winner, Miki Sudo, scoffs 34

Joey "Jaws" Chestnut has devoured 61 hot dogs to win his eighth consecutive title at the international July 4 competitive-eating contest on Coney Island, New York City.

Chestnut, from San Jose, California, scoffed the sausages with buns in 10 minutes, shortly after proposing to his girlfriend.

Fellow competitive eater Neslie Ricasa said yes as 30-year-old Chestnut got down on one knee.

Chestnut celebrates with his fiancee, Neslie Ricasa

The champion retained his mustard yellow belt, despite falling far short of last year when he ate 69 sausages and broke his own world record.

But it was enough to beat challenger Matt "Megatoad" Stonie, also of San Jose, who could only manage to tuck away 56.

Chestnut proposed to his Ricasa before the competition

In the women's division, two-time defending champion Sonya "Black Widow" Thomas lost her title to 28-year-old challenger Miki Sudo of Las Vegas.

Sudo wolfed down 34 franks and buns in 10 minutes.

Sonya "Black Widow" Thomas' title hopes went belly up

Thomas, of Alexandria, Virginia, gobbled 27 whole hot dogs.

Thousands of spectators cheered on the competitors at the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest.

But Miki Sudo had the stomach for victory

The contest was broadcast live on sports channel ESPN, and featured much of the fanfare usually reserved for professional sporting events.

Sudo wolfed down 34 franks and buns

Meanwhile, a rival hot-dog eating contest was held across town in Manhattan.

Takeru "Tsunami" Kobayashi ate 113 sausages without buns in 10 minutes in the Fifth Avenue chow-down.

Across town, Takeru Kobayashi ate 113 sausages without buns in 10 minutes