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Tim Janus “Eater X” Dies at 49 After Cancer

By Drooid · Sep 23, 2026, 11:14 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Tim Janus Dies

Tim Janus, known as “Eater X,” died on Sept. 16 at age 49 after a long battle with cancer.
He was ranked No. 2 worldwide, behind Joey Chestnut, and claimed world ramen and nigiri titles.
He held the world tiramisu title, ate 44 hot dogs in 2014, and raced on The Amazing Race season 30 (2018).
He won $100,000 on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (2009) and $1,600 on Cash Cab (2011).

Summary

Janus Celebration NYC

Major League Eating announced a celebration of life for Janus in New York City scheduled for October.
Janus was inducted into the Major League Eating Hall of Fame in 2016 after retiring.
He introduced the Alternative Beverage Movement, letting competitors drink lemonade or fruit punch instead of water.
In 2023 Janus entered the United States Foreign Service, but cancer stopped his overseas assignment.

History

Historical Context

Competitive eating entered mainstream TV after the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest, held each July 4 on Coney Island since the early 1970s, was picked up by ESPN in 2003 (tape-delay) and aired live from 2004. The Shea-founded Major League Eating (1997) now runs about 80 events, drawing over 2 million TV viewers annually.

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Tim Janus Dies

Tim Janus, known as “Eater X,” died on Sept. 16 at age 49 after a long battle with cancer.
He was ranked No. 2 worldwide, behind Joey Chestnut, and claimed world ramen and nigiri titles.
He held the world tiramisu title, ate 44 hot dogs in 2014, and raced on The Amazing Race season 30 (2018).
He won $100,000 on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (2009) and $1,600 on Cash Cab (2011).

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