NATHAN'S FOURTH OF JULY HOT DOG EATING CONTEST 2004

Japanese champion Takeru Kobayashi raises his hands in victory next to Sonya Thomas after he retained his title sunday in Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in New York, downing a new record 53 hot dogs in 12 minutes at Coney Island, NY on July 4, 2004. (UPI Photo/John Angelillo) .