India, Sept. 23 -- Tim Janus, the competitive eating champion known as "Eater X," has died at 49 after a long battle with cancer. Major League Eating said Janus died on September 16 from complications from the illness. He became a major name in the sport, reaching No. 2 in the world behind Joey Chestnut and winning titles in tiramisu, ramen and nigiri sushi.

Janus also appeared on The Amazing Race, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and on TV shows. He later joined the United States Foreign Service, but his illness stopped him from taking an overseas assignment.

Major League Eating announced Janus's death on September 20, saying he had been dealing with cancer for a long time.

Born in Simsbury, Connecticut, he graduated from Southern Method...