It’s getting to be so redundant that the 2011 Nathan’s International Hotdog Eating Contest could have been pre-written with a fill-in-the-blank spot for champion Joey Chestnut’s total for the day.

Chesnut again hoisted the Mustard Belt, eating competition’s version of the Stanley Cup for the fifth straight time after scarfing down 62 hot dogs in 10 minutes at Coney Island in Brooklyn.

In case you’re into calculating, that equates to 20,000 calories and with a $10,000 prize about $161.29 per consumed dog.

Coming in second place was Chicago-native Patrick Bertoletti who made it look interesting in the early minutes before fading down the stretch and finishing with 53 hot dogs. Third in the country’s most famous eating contest was Timothy Janus with 43.

Chesnut’s 2011 total of 62 is eight more than last year’s 54 that won the 2010 contest.

Like last year, former six-time champ Takeru Kobayashi did not compete after remaining ineligible because he refuses to sign an exclusive contract with Major League Eating.

Chesnut was asked about the rumor that Kobayashi downed 69 dogs today away from the site today to prove he is truly the champ and responded with this:

“It wasn’t a competition. It was him just eating. I’ve done 71 in practice by myself.”

Here’s the edited version of T.K. downing the 69 dogs and I have seen the unedited version to confirm he did indeed complete the feat:

This year also marked the inaugural womens contest that was held separate from the men. Sonya Thomas, a Virginia-native who calls herself “The Black Widow” took home that belt after cramming down 40 hotdogs.

Used with permission of the author.

Jay Donetelli is a Tampa-based freelance sportswriter and contributor to Sports Climax. With an opinion sharper than an Ovechkin skate blade with the sting of an Ali jab, Donetelli has a loyal cult of readers who have found a way to love him.

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