王者

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 王者 is read as おうじゃ and is a noun for a reigning champion or a dominant figure regarded as the strongest in a field.
• Basic usage: Describing the previous champion losing appears in 前回の王者が敗れる, while describing someone becoming the new champion appears in 新たな王者となる.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Difference from 優勝者
  • 王者 can suggest a dominant figure in the field as well as a tournament winner.