CHAMPIONED
Verb
championed
simple past tense and past participle of champion
Source: Wiktionary
CHAMPION
Cham"pi*on, n. Etym: [F. champion, fr. LL.campio, of German origin;
cf. OHG. chempho, chemphio, fighter, champf, G. kampf, contest; perh.
influenced by L. campus field, taken in the sense of "field of
battle."]
1. One who engages in any contest; esp. one who in ancient times
contended in single combat in behalf of another's honor or rights; or
one who acts or speaks in behalf of a person or a cause; a defender;
an advocate; a hero.
A stouter champion never handled sword. Shak.
Champions of law and liberty. Fisher Ames.
2. One who by defeating all rivals, has obtained an acknowledged
supremacy in any branch of athetics or game of skill, and is ready to
contend with any rival; as, the champion of England.
Note: Champion is used attributively in the sense of surpassing all
competitors; overmastering; as, champion pugilist; champion chess
player.
Syn.
– Leader; chieftain; combatant; hero; warrior; defender; protector.
Cham"pi*on, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Championed; p. pr. & vb. n.
Championing.] [Obs.] Shak.
2. To furnish with a champion; to attend or defend as champion; to
support or maintain; to protect.
Championed or unchampioned, thou diest. Sir W. Scott.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition