Contestants compete during the Nathan's annual hot dog eating contest in the Coney Island section of New York July 4, 2009. Joey Chestnut (2nd L) from California and Takeru Kobayashi (3rd L) of Japan won the first and second places by eating 68 and 64 hot dogs within 10 minutes during the contest on Saturday. Photo Gallery>>>

    NEW YORK, July 4 (Xinhua) -- By devouring 68 hot dogs in 10 minutes, Joey Chestnut from California defended his world championship in this year's Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest.  

    He also set a new record for this traditional Independence Day celebration in Coney Island, New York, an event which can be dated back to the year of 1916.

Joey Chestnut from California competes during the Nathan's annual hot dog eating contest in the Coney Island section of New York July 4, 2009. Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi of Japan won the first and second places by eating 68 and 64 hot dogs within 10 minutes during the contest on Saturday. Photo Gallery>>>

    This year, much anticipation is focused on the duel between Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi from Japan, six times world champion between 2001 and 2006. In 2008, they ended the event with a tie, both eating 59 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes of regulation. A dramatic five hot dog eat off ensued and Chestnut emerged the victor.

    Also attending the contest is last year's female champion Juliet Lee, a former chemistry professor in China who now owns a salon in Maryland. The 44-year-old mother ranked number 9 in the world by Major League Eating. But she lost to Sonya Thomas from Alexandria, Virginia, who broke the female world record by eating 41 hot dogs and buns.

    Thousands of fans and tourists were attracted to this beachside event.