Crossword Genius

Braces stripped by the competition (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

race

'the competition' is the definition.
(race is a kind of competition)

'braces stripped' is the wordplay.
'stripped' indicates the central letters.
The central letters of 'braces' are 'RACE'.

'by' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for race that I've seen before include "water" , "People; run" , "See 22" , "Move fast" , "Rush" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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