Crossword Genius

Smuggler was a strange athlete (3-6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rum-runner

'smuggler' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'a strange athlete' is the wordplay.
'a strange' becomes 'rum' (I've seen this before).
'athlete' becomes 'runner' (type of athlete).
'rum'+'runner'='RUM-RUNNER'

'was' is the link.

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