Initially keen novice is giving heed to champion (6)

I believe the answer is:

knight

'champion' is the definition.
(I have seen 'Heroic champion' mean 'knight' so perhaps 'champion' could also mean 'knight')

'initially keen novice is giving heed to' is the wordplay.
'initially' indicates taking the first letters.
The initial letters of 'keen novice is giving heed to' is 'KNIGHT'.

(Other definitions for knight that I've seen before include "Man on board" , "Heroic champion" , "Rank below baronet" , "Give title to; chess piece" , "Old horseman (on board?)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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