Crossword Genius

Nearly naked sportsman with boil gently squeezes (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

swimmer

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'nearly naked sportsman' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'with boil gently squeezes' is the wordplay.
'with' becomes 'w' (abbreviation).
'boil gently' becomes 'simmer' (I've seen this before).
'squeezes' indicates putting letters inside (squeeze can mean hug or embrace).
'w' inserted into 'simmer' is 'SWIMMER'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for swimmer that I've seen before include "Michael Phelps, say" , "Person moving through water" , "One doing crawl, say" , "A mover in water" , "Eg, Captain Webb" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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