Various lithe acts (9)

I believe the answer is:

athletics

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'various lithe acts' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't see how they can define each other.

'various lithe acts' is the wordplay.
'various' is an anagram indicator.
'lithe'+'acts'='litheacts'
'litheacts' anagrammed gives 'ATHLETICS'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for athletics that I've seen before include "Track and field events" , "Track and field sports" , "Track and field sport" , "Lithe acts performed in physical sports" , "Running and jumping" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.

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