'Amazing Race' star and competitive eating champion Tim Janus dies at 49 after a battle with cancer

From the Newshound archive · first published 23 September 2026 · last updated 24 September 2026.

Tim Janus, who ranked No. 2 in the world as a professional competitive eater and won $100,000 on 'Who Wants to Be a Millionaire', died on September 16 from complications following a long battle with cancer. Known as Eater X, he was famous for painting a Viking mask on his face during competitions across a 12-year career from 2006 to 2018. His publicist confirmed the news in an obituary published on the Major League Eating website on September 20. He also appeared alongside Joey Chestnut on season 30 of 'The Amazing Race' in 2018.

Janus held world titles in tiramisu, ramen noodle and sushi eating, and was crowned world burping champion in 2012 with an 18.1-second burp.

He was inducted into the Major League Eating Hall of Fame in 2016, saying: 'If you care about something and work hard at it, it makes you better.'

Friend and former roommate Crazy Legs Conti said Janus 'followed his own passions and dreams without regard for the pressures or expectations of society.'