チャンピオンchanpion

1. nounchampion
   私はチャンピオンと対戦たいせんした。↗

   I played against the champion.

• Synonym王者おうじゃNeutralA monarch, or the dominant power in a field as in 「絶対王者」; suggests lasting supremacy rather than a single competition win.
• Synonym覇者はしゃWrittenWritten-style word for a conqueror or tournament winner, as in 「大会の覇者」; carries a nuance of conquest and domination.
• Related名人めいじんNeutralA master of a craft or art; also a professional title in go and shogi. Focuses on skill, not necessarily on winning a championship.
• RelatedスターNeutralLoanword for a popular star, as in 「映画スター」; about fame and popularity, not about winning a title.
• Related巨匠きょしょうWrittenWritten-style word for a great master, especially in the arts, as in 「映画界の巨匠」; about artistic achievement, not competition.
• Related達人たつじんNeutralSomeone deeply versed in a skill or field of learning, as in 「料理の達人」; implies mastery but not a championship.
• RelatedエースNeutralLoanword for the ace or key player on a team, as in 「エースピッチャー」; a role within a team, not a titleholder.
• RelatedスーパースターNeutralLoanword for a world-famous superstar; stresses fame and popularity rather than winning a competition.
• RelatedナンバーワンNeutralLoanword for the number one among many, as in 「人気ナンバーワン」; about ranking, not limited to competitions.
• Related千両役者せんりょうやくしゃWrittenWritten-style term for a first-rate actor of outstanding skill; figuratively, a mainstay who delivers when it counts.
• Related優者ゆうしゃWrittenWritten-style word for a superior person or winner, now rare; in everyday speech use 「優勝者」 or 「チャンピオン」.
• Antonym敗者はいしゃWrittenWritten-style antonym: the loser of a contest, standing opposite the victorious 「チャンピオン」.
• Antonym挑戦者ちょうせんしゃNeutralAntonym: one who challenges the titleholder, as in 「挑戦者決定戦」; the counterpart of the defending 「チャンピオン」.

Use 「チャンピオン」 for a competition champion or titleholder, as in 「世界チャンピオン」. For a dominant ruler of a field say 「王者」 or 「覇者」; for a master of a skill say 「達人」. The opposites are 「挑戦者」 and 「敗者」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 戦士せんし、闘士とうし、選手せんしゅ。
2. 優勝者ゆうしょうしゃ。
3. あることに卓越たくえつした者もの。