Emotional champion lost the lead (5)

I believe the answer is:

inner

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'emotional' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

I can't explain the rest of the clue.

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(Other definitions for inner that I've seen before include "Deep" , "Situated within" , "Inside; next to the bull (archery)" , "closer than magpie" , "Not quite bull's-eye" .)

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

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