Left flesh radical (Kangxi 130, the side-form of
肉). Originally
胜 meant 'raw smell of meat / fishy odour' — the body radical fits that body-smell sense. The 'victory' meaning came in via simplification, where
胜 absorbed traditional
勝 (a different character with
力 'strength'). Same radical:
肝,
肾,
肠,
肺.
