Titles in Sports: English Vocabulary List

a person or team finishing in second place in a competition or event

"The runner-up receives a silver medal."

"The runner-up received a silver medal and congratulated the champion graciously."

a person who is good at sports and physical exercise, and often competes in sports competitions

"The athlete trained hard for the Olympics."

"Becoming a professional athlete requires sacrificing many normal activities because training must always be the highest priority in your life."

an athlete with a disability who competes in sports, often in events specifically designed for athletes with impairments

"The para athlete competes with a classification."

"The para athlete competed in a wheelchair for tennis events at the Paralympics."

a person who holds a title or championship in a particular activity or sport

"He is the titlist."

"The defending titlist lost her championship to an unseeded newcomer in a stunning upset."

someone who competes against another person or group with the intention of winning, proving themselves, or achieving a specific goal

"The challenger fights for the title."

"The challenger defeated the reigning champion in a stunning upset victory."

the winner of a competition

"She is the champion."

"The young athlete emerged as the undisputed champion after an incredible performance in the final race."

a participant who has reached the final stage or round of a competition

"The finalist loses in the championship match."

"The finalist prepared intensely for the championship match against her rival."

someone who takes part in the Paralympic games

"The Paralympian trains six hours daily."

"The Paralympian had qualified for three different sports across two Games."

a person who fails to win or succeed in a competition, contest, etc.

"The also-ran finishes last but completes the race."

"The also ran finished far behind the leader but still completed the difficult race."

a person who wins third place in a competition or event

"The bronze medalist hugs her coach."

"The bronze medalist was thrilled to reach the podium in her first Olympic appearance."

a person who has won a gold medal in a competition

"The gold medalist cries during the anthem."

"The gold medalist broke the world record in her event by a large margin."

an athlete who finishes in second place in a competition

"The silver medalist smiles for the camera."

"The silver medalist was gracious in defeat and promised to train harder for next year."

a person that currently holds the best or highest achievement in a particular field or category

"The record holder breaks the previous mark."

"The record holder had held the fastest time in the hundred meters for eight years."

a participant who has advanced to the semi-final round of a competition or tournament

"The semi-finalist does not reach the final."

"The semi finalist knew that winning her next match would send her to the final."