Sonya Thomas, Hot Dog Eating Queen

The First Female Nathans Hot Dog Eating Contest Champion

July 4, 2011, was a historic day for competitive eating.

For the first time in 36 years, the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest was split into separate competitions for men and women. And in the inaugural women's competition, Sonya Thomas emerged victorious, scarfing down 45 hot dogs and buns in just 10 minutes.

Thomas's win was a major upset. She was not one of the favorites heading into the contest, but she proved to be a formidable competitor. She ate quickly and steadily, and she never gave up. Her victory was a testament to her hard work and dedication.

Thomas's win was also a significant moment for women in competitive eating. It showed that women can compete on an equal footing with men in this challenging sport. It also inspired other women to take up competitive eating, and it helped to pave the way for more women to succeed in the sport.

Today, Sonya Thomas is still one of the top female competitive eaters in the world.