Crossword Genius

Romeo excellent in competition (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

race

'competition' is the definition.
(I know that race is a type of competition)

'romeo excellent' is the wordplay.
'romeo' becomes 'r' (phonetic alphabet: alpha, bravo, charlie etc.).
'excellent' becomes 'ace' (I've seen this before).
'r'+'ace'='RACE'

'in' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for race that I've seen before include "Stock" , "People - sprint - competition" , "Run quickly" , "Breed" , "People; dash" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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