Offbeat: Joey Chestnut gets mustard yellow belt and fiancée

High-ranking chowhound Joey “Jaws” Chestnut dropped to one knee and proposed to his longtime girlfriend before the annual hot dog eating contest, then packed away 61 franks and buns to hold onto his coveted mustard yellow winner’s belt.
Chestnut man fell far short of his record last year of 69 dogs and buns, but he still easily beat second-place finisher Matt Stonie, also of San Jose, who downed just 56.
“Winning was the only option,” the newly engaged champion said afterward. “I wasn’t going to taint today with a loss.”
Chestnut, 30, took a quick timeout before the annual Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest at Coney Island to make it official with his longtime girlfriend, Neslie Ricasa, who is also a competitive eater.
In the women’s division, defending champion Sonya “Black Widow” Thomas lost her title to Miki Sudo
Sudo wolfed down 34 franks and buns. Thomas was only able to devour 27 3/4. AP