Holders of sporting trophies adapting small diets (10)

I believe the answer is:

medallists

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'holders of sporting trophies' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'adapting small diets' is the wordplay.
'adapting' indicates anagramming the letters.
'small'+'diets'='smalldiets'
'smalldiets' anagrammed gives 'MEDALLISTS'.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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