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Reigning champ Joey 'Jaws' Chestnut downs 61 franks, buns to win hot dog eating contest

NEW YORK (AP) — The reigning champ of the Nathan's famous hot dog eating contest gets to hold onto his mustard yellow belt.

Joey "Jaws" Chestnut of San Jose, California, packed away 61 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes on Friday at the Coney Island contest. He won last year with 69.

Matt Stonie, also of San Jose, was hoping for an upset. But he downed just 56.

In the women's division, defending champion Sonya "Black Widow" Thomas lost her title to Miki Sudo (MIHK'-ee SOO'-doh).

Sudo, of Las Vegas, wolfed down 34 franks and buns. Thomas, of Alexandria, Virginia, was only able to devour 27 3/4.

Chestnut got an extra prize Friday. He proposed to his girlfriend, a fellow competitive eater, before the contest. She said yes.