New York ( CNN ) -- Joey `` Jaws '' Chestnut , reigning king of the world 's most famous hot dog eating contest , may have had an extra boost of confidence Friday . With a hug and kiss , his girlfriend of three years accepted his marriage proposal . On a rainy Independence Day at Brooklyn 's Coney Island , the San Jose , California , resident once again clinched the title at Nathan 's hot dog eating contest before hundreds of umbrella-toting spectators at the annual celebration of gluttony . `` It was just a dog fight the entire time , '' he told ESPN , which broadcast the popular event . Chestnut sloppily devoured 61 hot dogs in 10 minutes -- edging his biggest competitor , Matthew Stonie , who placed second after swallowing 56 dogs . Chestnut 's win at Nathan 's 98th annual International Hot Dog Eating Contest secured his title for the eighth consecutive year , but he was still a handful of wieners away from his world record 69 hot dogs in 10 minutes that he set last year . `` The hot dogs were slow today , the weather slowed everything down , '' Chestnut told ESPN . `` I could never find my rhythm . '' As reigning champ , Chestnut was paraded into the contest on the shoulders of fans on a chariot-like hot dog cart . In the women 's competition , Miki Sudo won by inhaling 34 dogs to eclipse the former champ , Sonya `` The Black Widow '' Thomas . The hot dog eating contest was divided into men 's and women 's competitions in 2011 . Contestants compete for prize money and Nathan 's Mustard Belt . As American as apple pie -- the origins of picnic favorites . Get ready for your feast : Grilling tips , tricks , recipes and advice .
Former king of world 's most famous hot dog eating contest proposes before contest . Joey Chang eats 61 hot dogs in 10 minutes . He has eighth consecutive win , falls short of ninth . In women 's contest , Miki Sudo inhales 34 dogs to eclipse former champ .