contender
nounUK /kənˈten.dər/
US /kənˈten.dɚ/
A contender is someone who tries hard to win.
She is a strong contender for the gold medal.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A person or team that has a real chance of winning something.
The young boxer is a serious contender for the title.
3. Someone who argues or struggles against another in a dispute.
The two contenders argued over the last piece of cake.
4. A person who competes in a race or game.
All the contenders lined up at the starting line.