Five Questions With Tim “Eater X” Janus

Tim Janus has become a familiar face at the KSO Finals. Will he do a repeat performance at the Knoxville Qualifier this year to earn a seat at the championship table in Chattanooga?

We caught up with Tim “Eater X” Janus to find out his strategy going into the Knoxville Qualifier and hear about his predictions on this year’s Krystal Square Off winner. Unlike many of the other eaters we’ve spoken with thus far, sounds like Eater X still believes Joey Chestnut will come out on top again, even though Chestnut hasn’t had the opportunity to contend with the new rules. Check out more about what Janus had to say…

How has your training been for this year’s Krystal Square Off?

Nonexistent. I’ve haven’t had any time this year. It’s really too bad.

Care to reveal your strategy for the Big Angus Burgers? Will you start off with them or wait until the end?

I don’t know what I’ll do. Truly, I don’t think it matters as long as you eat them eventually. If you eat them first, you’ll eat them faster, but your Krystals pace at the end will suffer. If you eat them last, you’ll eat them slower, but you’ll have eaten your Krystals faster.

You’re the favorite going into this weekend’s Qualifier in Knoxville. How hard are you going to push yourself? Will you do just enough to win?

I need to figure out what I’m doing, what it’s like eating them dry. So I think my mind will be more on figuring out what feels best — how to move, how to hold things, the kinds of bites to take, etc. And then hopefully in the Finals, I can put it all together.

Going into this year’s KSO what are your goals?

I’m never comfortable talking about them.

Do you think Joey Chestnut will repeat as champion this year? Who do you think has the best shot at upsetting him?

Anybody who doesn’t pick Joey to win is either trying desperately to be interesting or is just plain stupid. Joey is the champion. He is the favorite. He’s not a lock to win it. But clearly he’s the most likely winner.