Contestant taking a bow? (6)
I believe the answer is:
archer
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'contestant' is the first definition.
(I know that archer is a type of athlete)
'a bow?' is the second definition.
(I've seen this before)
'taking' is the link.
(Other definitions for archer that I've seen before include "Tell possibly < more mischievous" , "Bowman - popular author" , "One uses bow and 30ac" , "Toxophilite" , "Small insect" .)