Takes gold

WINS

Think of what a champion does at the end of a race or competition when they come in first place.

"Takes gold" hints at winning a competition, since gold medals or trophies are often awarded to first-place finishers. The word "takes" is a straightforward verb here, meaning to claim or receive, so the answer is simply "WINS." It’s a direct clue with no hidden wordplay—just a common phrase for coming out on top.