Joey Chestnut and ‘Black Widow’ win hot dog eating contest (PHOTOS)

It's that time of year again… when seemingly normal human beings scarf down an unearthly amount of hot dogs, and win money for their efforts.

Sonya Thomas, who goes by the name "Black Widow," won the women's competition at Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island.

Beating her own record of 41 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes, the petite Virginia native managed to gobble 45 hot dogs and buns, according to the Associated Press.

That means she gets to take home $10,000.

Juliet Lee took second place, eating 33 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes, and won $5,000.

More on GlobalPost: Red, white and blue: 9 foods for the Fourth

In the men's competition, Joey "Jaws" Chestnut won his sixth consecutive title, eating 68 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes, said ABC News.

The California native also won $10,000 and a mustard champion's belt, and now ties his former rival, Takeru Kobayashi, for six wins each. Kobayashi did not compete and left Major League Eating in 2011, according to ABC News.

In second place, Tim Janus managed 52 hot dogs and buns.

Chestnut said, "I tied my best without anyone really pushing me," according to ABC News. "I'm looking forward to next year already."

More on GlobalPost: Independence Day: The global edition

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg was present for the official weigh-in ceremony yesterday, and drew laughs from the crowd with his pun-filled speech.

The New York Times said the last straw may have been when he wondered whether the "dogged pursuers will finally ‘catch up,’ cut the mustard and be pronounced ‘wiener.’"

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