He leaves heaven and goes without love but gets retribution! (7)

I believe the answer is:

avenges

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'he leaves' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to competing as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for avenges that I've seen before include "Takes satisifaction for a wrongdoing or injury" , "Makes reprisal" , "Retaliates for" , "Gets back at" , "Carries out retribution" .)

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

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