NEW YORK — Coney Island is preparing for some major-league eating.

Two reigning champion chowers and their challengers are gathering for New York’s annual July Fourth hot dog eating contest in Brooklyn.

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Women's hot-dog eating record-holder, Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas challenges five-time hot-dog eating world champion Joey Chestnut during a weigh-in for contestants in the annual Coney Island Fourth of July international hot-dog eating contest. The event takes place today at Coney Island in Brooklyn. Chestnut will try to break his own world record of downing 68 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. Thomas, who weighs 100 pounds, will headline the women's competition, facing 14 female eaters from the U.S. and Canada. AP

Joey Chestnut is vying for his sixth straight victory. He holds the record of 68 hot dogs and buns in the 10-minute showdown.

Chestnut hails from San Jose, Calif. He says he couldn’t care less about breaking his record, he just wants to win.

Sonya “The Black Widow” Thomas, of Alexandria, Va., says she wants to beat her own record of 41 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes. She’s aiming for 45 in the women’s competition.

The winners get $10,000.

The Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest has been a city tradition for 97 years.

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