Quick Answer
Clue: “Tournament victor”
Answer: CHAMP
Answer length: 5 letters
Clue number & direction: 1-Down in the NYT Mini Crossword for January 22, 2026
The New York Times crossword clue “Tournament victor” is answered with CHAMP.
Why “CHAMP” Is the Right NYT Answer
- “Champ” is a common shortened form of “champion,” meaning the person who wins a tournament or competition, matching “tournament victor” exactly.
- Multiple NYT-focused helper sites list CHAMP as the 5-letter solution for this specific Mini clue, confirming it as the intended fill.
What “CHAMP” Means in Plain English
- A champ is simply a winner or champion, especially the one who finishes first in a contest, match, or tournament.
- The word is often used informally, as in “You’re the champ,” but in crosswords it typically appears in this “tournament victor” or “title holder” sense.
Crossword-Specific Help and Patterns
- In the grid, CHAMP appears as C H A M P, so partial patterns like CHA__ or _HAMP strongly point you toward this entry.
- CHAMP is a very common crossword answer; it shows up across many puzzles with clues such as “Winner,” “Title holder,” “Victor,” or “Top boxer.”
- For this Mini, crossings from 1-Across CHOW and nearby entries (like HERES, ORCAS, WRIST, etc.) quickly lock in each letter of CHAMP at 1-Down.
Solving Tips for Similar NYT Clues
- When you see “tournament victor,” “title holder,” or “top finisher” in a 5-letter slot, CHAMP should be an immediate candidate alongside “winner” (6 letters).
Check the final letter: clues that hint at an informal or shortened word (“for short,” “slang,” or casual tone) often lean toward CHAMP instead of the full CHAMPION.
