Thomas will compete Monday in the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island, N.Y. The 100-pound, 5-foot-5 Alexandria resident is the women’s division favorite — she once ate 41 hot dogs in 10 minutes. Are you doing any special training to get ready for July 4?
No, I’ve been doing competitive eating for years. I don’t need to do special training. I just need to have my mind focused.
This is the first year Nathan’s will have separate men’s and women’s divisions. Do you like that change?
I can compete with men. But this year I do have a better chance to win. That’s exciting.
How many hot dogs do you hope to eat in the contest?
My record is 41 in 2009, and I still haven’t beaten that, so I want to match my record at 41.
Why are you called “The Black Widow”?
Lately a lot of women are interested in [eating] competitions, but before I was the only woman. So in competition I want to beat the men. So I wanted a strong name. So that’s why I made it Black Widow — like a man-eater.
What’s your favorite personal eating record?
Oysters. My oyster record is 552 in 10 minutes.
What’s your secret for eating hot dogs so fast?
The bun is dry and hard to eat. So all the eaters soak the bun in a water cup and then swallow.
How do you stay healthy when eating so much?
Eating competitions are not every day. They’re maybe once a month. You have to continue to exercise your body. When not eating at competitions, you don’t eat junk food, you have to watch what you eat. I have a good metabolism, naturally.
