rival

(noun) the contestant you hope to defeat. Synonyms: challenger, competitor, competition, contender. Examples: "He had respect for his rivals." "He wanted to know what the competition was doing."

(verb) be equal to in quality or ability. Synonyms: equal, touch, match. Examples: "Nothing can rival cotton for durability." "Your performance doesn't even touch that of your colleagues." "Her persistence and ambition only matches that of her parents."

(verb) be the rival of, be in competition with. Example: "We are rivaling for first place in the race."