Sporting superstar landed, losing time (3)

I believe the answer is:

ali

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'sporting superstar' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'landed losing time' is the wordplay.
'landed' becomes 'alit' (alight can mean to land).
'losing' is a deletion indicator.
'time' becomes 't' (abbreviation).
'alit' with 't' taken away is 'ALI'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ali that I've seen before include "Champion boxer" , "Muslim name" , "Mohammed . . . (boxer)" , "Late boxer" , "A champ'" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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