A very tired arm

A Bradford policeman has become Mr gay UK!
I quote from The Daily Mail.

"He is expected to have a year of personal appearances and photo shoots ahead of him after beating off 25 other contestants in the final at Blackpool's Flamingo Club to win £5,000 worth of prizes."

"Beating off 25 other contestants"?
I think the Mail should be a little more careful in their choice of words!