Competitive Eater and 'Amazing Race' Alum Tim Janus Dies at 49

Tim Janus's Death and the Official Announcement

Tim Janus, the competitive eater known as Eater X who appeared on Season 30 of The Amazing Race in 2018, died on Sept. 16 at age 49 from complications following a long battle with cancer, Major League Eating announced on Sunday, Sept. 20, and as reported on Sept. 23. A statement on the Major League Eating website described Janus as someone who "became one of the most recognizable figures in competitive eating during the sport's formative years," crediting him as "one of the defining personalities of what participants called the sport's 'trophy era.'"

Janus's death was confirmed by his publicist in an obituary shared via Major League Eating. His former roommate and former world oyster-eating champion Crazy Legs Conti said in a tribute: "Tim followed his own passions and dreams without regard for the pressures or expectations of society. He was unique, brilliant and beloved by his friends. He lived his life on his own terms."

A Career in Competitive Eating

Janus spent 12 years as a professional competitive eater, from 2006 to 2018, and at one point held the No. 2 spot in the world rankings, trailing only his later Amazing Race teammate Joey Chestnut. Competing in a face-painted Viking mask, he was crowned the world ramen noodle-eating champion after consuming 10.5 pounds in just under eight minutes and the world nigiri sushi-eating champion after eating 141 pieces in six minutes. In 2014, he competed in the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4, downing 44 hot dogs.

Janus is credited with introducing the Alternative Beverage Movement to the sport, which permitted competitors to have drinks like lemonade or fruit punch at the table instead of only water. He was inducted into the Major League Eating Hall of Fame in 2016. Speaking at the induction, Janus said: "I tell people that I learned a lot about life by eating hot dogs, and I mean it. If you care about something and work hard at it, it makes you better." Born in Simsbury, Connecticut, he graduated from Southern Methodist University with a degree in political science and public policy and lived in New York City's East Village as an adult.

Television Appearances Beyond 'The Amazing Race'

On The Amazing Race, Janus partnered with Joey Chestnut during the show's 30th season, but the duo were eliminated in the fourth leg. Outside of that CBS appearance, Janus became the largest Cash Cab winner in history after taking home $1,600 in 2011, and during an appearance on the syndicated version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire in 2009, he won $100,000.

Janus was also an adventurer who, according to Major League Eating, tracked crocodiles and snakes in the wild in Australia, milked a cow, and appeared as a television weatherman on an evening news broadcast. Shortly before receiving his cancer diagnosis, Janus was accepted into the United States Foreign Service and planned to serve abroad on assignment.

Surviving Family and Planned Memorial

Janus is survived by his mother Lucinda Hannon, his father Peter Janus, his stepmother Nancy Janus, and his sister Tess McNair. A celebration of life is planned for October in New York City.