Lee Sun-kyung, 46, Korean American, swept first place for the third time in a row at the annual Fourth of July hot dog eating competition. She is also known as Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas of competitive eating.
Lee chowed down 36 and three-quarters of hot dogs in 10 minutes, dominating the women's division of the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, New York.
Lee was only three-quarters of a hot dog away from a tie with second place winner, Juliet Lee.
Last year, Lee devoured 45 hot dogs, five more than the 40 that she wolfed down in 2011 when the competition was first split into men’s and women's division.
The title, "Black Widow," a spider infamous for sexual cannibalism, in which the female eats the male, was given to Lee, 164cm tall and barely 45kg, after trouncing male competitors at various eating competitions.
Hotdog eating is "more mental than physical," Lee said. "I have to fight with myself, so I'm going to try to really focus."
In 1997, Lee, who is originally from Gunsan in North Jeolla Province, immigrated to Alexandria, Virg. where she now manages a fast food restaurant.
Joey "Jaws" Chestnut (29) gobbled down 69 hot dogs, winning the men's event for the seven straight time and setting a world record.
At its 98th year, the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest attracts thousands of contestants each year.