It’s the 4th of July and that means the Nathan’s Coney Island hot dog eating contest. Gross. New York 1 has this report:

No one puts fear into the hearts of hot dogs like Tekeru Kobayashi, who has owned the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest for the past half decade.

“Tekeru Kobayashi came over in 2001, doubled the record, and since them no one has been close," said International Federation of Competitive Eating Chairman George Shea.

But Shea says this could be the year someone steps up and finishes more franks in 12 minutes than the champ. Top challengers include “The Black Widow” Sonja Thomas; Joey Chestnut an up-and-comer who has topped the 50 weiner plateau; Long Islander Ed "Cookie” Jarvis; and No. 7 train conductor Eric "Badlands" Booker, who is confident heading into the big competition.