Played back? (8)
I believe the answer is:
defended
'played' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to competing as well as being past participle verbs.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'back?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'back?' could be 'defend' (defending is a kind of backing) and 'defend' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'ed' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for defended that I've seen before include "Guarded" , "Represented the accused in a lawsuit" , "Protected from harm" , "Tried to justify" , "Protected or supported against attack" .)