rivalry, opposition, struggle, strife, challengers, championship, tournament, head-to-head
single combat, contest, fight, competition, clash, encounter, rivalry
Some synonyms for the noun basketball are game, sport, activity, competition, ball.
rivalry, opposition, struggle, strife, challengers, championship, tournament, head-to-head
clash, contest, conflict, event, encounter, competition, fight, match, game, struggle, race, sport
competitor challenger opponent rival contender participator
Other words with a similar meaning (synonyms) to tournament are contest, competition, event, tourney, game, play-offs, match
The term vanquished means to conquer. Other synonyms include subdue, defeat thoroughly, to come out the winner in a competition such as a sport or a game.
They are synonyms.
A means that is the same as "opponent" is "adversary." Both terms refer to someone who is in opposition to another, especially in a competition or conflict. Other synonyms include "rival" and "challenger."
Synonyms
No. It would have to be a slang hyphenate as "the party had a sports-y theme", meaning it used athletic competition as a motif. (It is not a neologism.)
Relative and kin are synonyms.