Winner, title-holder (8)
I believe the answer is:
champion
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'winner' is the first definition.
(I know that champion is a type of winner)
'title-holder' is the second definition.
(synonyms)
(Other definitions for champion that I've seen before include "hero" , "Winner - advocate" , "Advocate, defender" , "The first-placed in a competition" , "Winner of competition or supporter of cause" .)