As a starter, don't worry about what others fly.
Fly a plane that you like. If it is a Pattern plane with a good power for vertical manuvers, it will be good enough.
Find a good coach (preferably a Pattern Pilot), Practice a lot, Go to Contests.

If I suggest a plane, it will be an Excelleron 90 if you can afford with a YS 91, 110, or 120.
My setup for the Explorer/Excellerons are 91SX/FX, wraparound header, tuned pipe, perry pump for one, an old used YS 120SF w/ muffler for the other.

My reason for suggesting the Explorer/Excelleron is that you don't have to get another plane when you are ready to fly the Intermediate.

I started sportman (Novice at the time) with a CG Tiger 2 w/ TT45, tuned pipe. It wasn't good enough for vertical.
Then, started flying EZ Topline 30/50 with YS 53. (That was what I had and could afford & loved it)
Topline was very good, but smallest at the competitions in NorthWest. Actually smaller than the Tiger 2.
Topline has more than 150 flights. I broke it half, but repaired it and flew again.

Personally, I agree with TNewman regarding the need of 2M plane.
By the way, I've seen an Advanced Pilot flying a Boxer 60 with OS Hanno couple years ago.

IP