challenger

Plural: challengers

Noun

• the contestant you hope to defeat
• One who challenges; especially, one who plays against the current champion of a game or contest in hopes of winning and becoming the new champion.

Examples

• One child stood as king of the hill, and tried to withstand the pushes and shoves of his challengers.
• The champion hopes to defeat his new challenger in the game to remain undefeated.

Synonyms

competition, competitor, contender, rival, adversary, combatant, disputer, opponent