Traditional karate or sports karate?

Several karate fighters have wondered what is the difference between traditional karate and sports karate. And it is that in many dojos it is customary to lean more towards sports Karate, focusing mainly on the qualities and physical training to compete in tournaments, from what we call invitational championships to national and international championships, including federated ones.

But what is the difference between the two?

Traditional karate focuses on the development of the person in all its aspects from technical knowledge, because it follows the values ​​of Budo (Set of ethical standards and its relationship with philosophy and religion).

Days ago I read an article about Sensei Kuno Yanushi (9th Dan Hanshi - Uechi Ryu) where he spoke about traditional Karate and he mentioned the following:

"In my opinion, the concept of Traditional Karate functionality, that is, with a

good training and good preparation should work in real case. Karate is a true self defense. Karate was and is the complete fighting system, it is not a sport that fights under regulations. In addition to all this, traditional Karate is the discipline that can be trained throughout life regardless of age or physical condition "

Sports Karate focuses on competition, applying techniques that are only useful for its application. The speed of hands and legs is worked since when competing in Kumite (Combat), it is based on points, whoever hits or kicks first in the regulated body parts. As for the Kata, to make it more attractive in competitions, there is a tendency to sacrifice a little technique.

I am in favor of the fact that both should go hand in hand. Whoever enters the world of Karate must know, must learn traditional Karate in the first instance, which in the end is true Karate and hence learn from sports Karate if you want to compete. It is important that this is implemented in our Dojos, not to lose the essence of Karate since otherwise it will be reduced only to punchs and kicks.