How to say "championship" in Japanese

• 優勝ゆうしょうJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbFor 'championship' meaning the act of winning a tournament outright — taking the title, as when a team or player finishes first in a competition. The focus is on the victory itself.
  トムが優勝ゆうしょうしたんでしょう。↗

  Tom got first prize, didn't he?
• 選手権せんしゅけんCommon
  nounFor 'championship' as the competition or event itself — a tournament that decides a champion, as in a national or world championship. Use this when naming the contest rather than describing a win.
  明日あすの今いまごろ、彼かれらは選手権せんしゅけんを目指めざして戦たたかっているところだろう。↗

  They will be fighting for the championship this time tomorrow.
• 擁護ようごCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbNot a way to say 'championship': it means protection, defence, or support — standing up for a person, claim, or position. It is really about safeguarding something, so it is seldom the word you want here.
  子供こどもの権利けんり擁護ようごに関かんして我々われわれは委任いにんされている。↗

  We are entrusted with the protection of children's rights.
• 王座おうざCommon
  nounFor 'championship' as the champion's title or top spot — the seat the winner occupies, literally a throne. It names the standing itself rather than the contest or the act of winning it.
  現在げんざいのチャンピオンは彼かれであり、その王座おうざを奪うばえる新人しんじん挑戦者ちょうせんしゃはいないだろう。↗

  He's reigning champion, and no young challenger is going to take it away from him.

Use 優勝 for winning a championship, 選手権 for the championship event itself, and 王座 for the champion's title or top spot; 擁護 means defending or protecting something, not championship.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 優勝ゆうしょうoverall victory
• 選手権せんしゅけんchampionship
• 擁護ようごprotection
• チャンピオンシップchampionship
• 擁護論ようごろんchampionship
• 制勝せいしょうvictory
• 王座おうざfirst place
• 覇はchampionship
• 杯はいcup