defending champions
Current title holders
Defending champions are the current holders of a championship title, competing to retain it in the next contest.
The phrase appears constantly in sports coverage: The defending champions face a tough draw in the opening round.
A team or individual remains the defending champion until the next championship concludes, when they either successfully defend their title or lose it.
- titleFormal honorific or name
- reigningHolding power now
- trophyAward for winning
- crownSovereign's ornamental headpiece
- dynastySuccessive family rulers
back to back · repeat · victorious · holders · rivals · throne · legacy · comeback · contenders · dominant · streak · reign · glory · undefeated · powerhouse · favorites · rematch · knocked out
- championsgold medalists, titleholders, victors, first place, prize winners
- tournament favoritesfavorites, frontrunners, number one seed
- competitorscompetitor, contestant, competitors, rivals, opponents
- Champions LeagueUEFA, knockout rounds, trophy, group stage, quarterfinals
defending championschallengers
Those who compete against
underdogs · newcomers · dark horses · long shots · debutants
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