NEW YORK (AP) - The Latest on the Nathan’s Famous July Fourth hot dog eating contest (all times local):
5:20 p.m.
A handful of animal rights activists who were taken into police custody as they tried to unfold a banner at the annual July Fourth hot dog eating contest at Nathan’s Famous in New York have been released without charges.
The demonstrators say they’re from a group called Direct Action Everywhere, and want Nathan’s to stop holding the contest.
Police say they took five people into custody on Tuesday, brought them to a precinct for questioning and then released them.
Another group, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, separately had members giving away free vegan hot dogs outside the event.
Joey “Jaws” Chestnut won the men’s division for the 10th time, by eating 72 hot dogs and buns. Miki Sudo won the women’s division with 41 hot dogs and buns.
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3:45 p.m.
Joey “Jaws” Chestnut has broken his own record to extend his reign as chowing champion at the annual July Fourth hot dog eating contest at Nathan’s Famous in New York.
The San Jose, California-based competitor logged a 10th win by downing 72 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes Tuesday. He beat Carmen Cincotti (sihn-CAH’-tee), who ate 60.
Chestnut set the previous record at 70 last year.
Miki Sudo (MIHK’-ee SOO’-doh) has notched her fourth win in the women’s division. The Las Vegas woman ate 41 hot dogs and buns, besting Michelle Lesco’s 32.
Police say five people were taken into custody after trying to disrupt the event. The people appeared to be attempting to unfold a black banner in the crowd before police stopped them and took them away.
1:55 p.m.
Police say five people have been taken into custody after trying to disrupt the annual Nathan’s Famous July Fourth hot dog eating contest in New York.
About midway through the men’s competition, some people amid the crowd of spectators at the contest on the Coney Island boardwalk appeared to be trying to unfold a black banner. Police stationed at the event rushed into the crowd, handcuffed the demonstrators and took them away.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals had members giving away free vegan hot dogs outside the event, but a spokeswoman says the people arrested inside weren’t with PETA.
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1:05 p.m.
Joey “Jaws” Chestnut continues his reign as the chowing champion at the annual July Fourth hot dog eating contest at Nathan’s Famous in New York.
The San Jose, California, man beat his own record to log a 10th win. He downed 72 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes Tuesday, besting Carmen Cincotti (sihn-CAH’-tee), who ate 62.
Chestnut downed 70 franks and buns in 10 minutes last year, topping his record at the time and taking back the title from Matt “The Megatoad” Stonie. Stonie came in third on Tuesday, with 48 franks and buns.
Chestnut said at Monday’s pre-contest weigh-in that he models his training after marathoners, slowly building up to eating more and more franks as the contest approaches.
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11:45 a.m.
Miki Sudo (MIHK’-ee SOO’-doh) has notched a fourth-time win in the women’s division of the annual Fourth of July hot dog eating contest at Nathan’s Famous in New York.
The Las Vegas woman ate 41 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes to win her fourth straight title Tuesday. She beat Michelle Lesco, who downed 32 franks and buns. Women’s record-holder Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas came in third with 30.
Thomas holds the women’s record for the contest, at 45 dogs and buns.
Thousands of people - many wearing hot-dog-shaped hats - gathered on Coney Island’s famed boardwalk for the contest.
The men’s competition is later Tuesday. Nine-time champion Joey “Jaws” Chestnut will defend his title in a rematch against Matt “The Megatoad” Stonie.
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12:30 a.m.
Record-setting eaters are gearing up to gobble at the renowned Nathan’s Famous July Fourth hot dog eating contest in New York.
Nine-time champion Joey “Jaws” Chestnut is defending his title Tuesday at the showdown on the Coney Island boardwalk.
Chestnut’s facing Matt “The Megatoad” Stonie in a rematch. Chestnut downed 70 franks and buns in 10 minutes last year, topping his own Coney Island record.
Meanwhile, Miki Sudo (MIHK’-ee SOO’-doh) is hoping for a fourth title in a row as she confronts Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas in the women’s competition. Sudo powered through 38 1/2 hot dogs and buns to beat Thomas last year. But Thomas holds the women’s record, at 45 franks.
The chowdown showdown usually draws thousands of spectators and is televised on ESPN.
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This story has been corrected to show that Cincotti ate 60 hot dogs and buns, instead of 62, per official results.
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