選手|せんしゅsenshu[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. nounplayer (of a sport); athlete; team member
   アキラは上手じょうずなテニス選手せんしゅです。↗

   Akira is a good tennis player.

• SynonymプレイヤーNeutralLoanword for someone taking part in a game, match or musical performance; also a playback device. 「選手」 usually means an athlete selected to compete.
• SynonymアスリートNeutralLoanword for a competitive athlete, pro or amateur; it has a trendy feel and is common in the media. 「選手」 is the more everyday word.
• SynonymスポーツマンNeutralSomeone who loves sports or is good at them, whether or not they compete; 「選手」 is specifically a competitor in a match.
• Synonymスポーツ選手スポーツせんしゅNeutralExplicitly limited to sports athletes; 「選手」 itself can also be used for chess and many other kinds of competition.
• Synonym運動選手うんどうせんしゅNeutralMeans the same as 「スポーツ選手」 but sounds a bit dated; in most cases 「選手」 or 「スポーツ選手」 is enough.
• Antonym観客かんきゃくNeutralThe spectators or audience watching a match or performance; at a venue it stands opposite the competing 「選手」.

For someone competing in a match, 「選手」 is the default. Athletes who take their sport seriously can also be called 「アスリート」, which sounds trendy, while 「スポーツマン」 is for people who love sports.

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

1. 競技きょうぎの出場者しゅつじょうしゃとして選えらばれた者もの。
2. （広ひろく一般いっぱんに）競技者きょうぎしゃ。