Compete in powerlessness (9)

I believe the answer is:

impotence

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'powerlessness' is the definition.
(impotence is a kind of powerlessness)

'compete in' is the wordplay.
'compete in' anagrams to 'IMPOTENCE'.
But, I am not clear how the anagram is indicated.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for impotence that I've seen before include "Weakness" , "Helplessness, powerlessness" , "ineffectualness" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.

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