A person who holds the first place in prize-fighting, rowing, walking, or other trial of strength or skill; one who has defeated all opponents…

A female champion.

British. cock of the school: (chiefly with the or without article) a schoolboy acknowledged to be pre-eminent by his fellow pupils, esp. at…

figurative. slang. One hard to beat or surpass in skill, an adept, a ‘champion’. (Cf. slang use of ‘bully’.)

figurative and in figurative contexts. Sport. An outstanding performer.

Sport. The possessor for the time (as the winner) of a championship, cup, etc. which is open to competition.

= champion, n. 4.

One who starts from ‘scratch’ or has the least favourable handicap in a game, match, or race.

The reigning champion in a particular competition, esp. a sporting event or contest. Also in extended use: something which surpasses all others with…

A champion or title-winner, typically in a sporting event or contest.

(a) U.S. a person awarded a mark of distinction (cf. letter, n.1 3a) in three different sports; (b) colloquial an obnoxious person.

transferred and figurative. Applied to one who or that which in some way resembles or suggests a tiger. A sportsman or climber of outstanding skill…

slang (originally and chiefly U.S.). In sporting contexts: a player who stands out from the rest; an outstanding player. Now somewhat rare.

Chiefly British. A promising young sports player. Cf. star, n.1 4d.