"A Way of Life" Sport Karate's Legitimacy

The sport of karate doesn't always get the respect and notoriety that is deserves compared to other combat sports.  Some of you reading this will think aloud, "Karate is a combat sport?" And the answer: It most certainly is! It may not be a hard hitting, ground and pound blood sport as in MMA and boxing, but it has aspects that those other sports can compare to.  In what other sport can your opponent get knocked out, awaken and regroup, to continue fighting and possibly win the match-up? In the world of the UFC and boxing, once your opponent is KO'd, the fight is over, but not in sport karate. 

Sport karate fighters can be considered the toughest athletes, and have to have a lasting endurance and consistency during their match-ups, because 100% of their fights are run tournament style. They enter into fights not knowing who they are matched up against, and fight up to TEN matches to win the tournaments grand championship.  Sport karate fighters also enter into other aspects of the tournament that includes katas and weapons, showing form and skill of a particular style.
Many people don't consider sport karate a professional sport, because the sport lacks professional organizations.  Sport karate fighters are not offered contracts or paid fights that big name MMA and boxing athletes receive, through the many organizations that those sports have established over the years.  Over time, sport karate fighters move on to boxing and MMA in order to receive contracts and endorsements, but you rarely see fighters that have fought in those organizations convert to sport karate for this particular reason.  Sport karate fighters confidence levels become obsolete in regards to this matter, they want to be taken serious as professional athletes and sport karate has not caught up to the professionalism of what makes boxing and mixed martial arts renowned worldwide.
Sport karate is a legitimate sport that can be compared to the likes of MMA, boxing and other combative sports.  For many, karate is not only a sport, but a way of life.  Fighters embrace the aspect of the sport, but understand that karate is in everything that they do.  It is time that sport karate be mentioned in the same breath as any other professional sport played around the world.  So consider this question after reading this article, Is sport karate real? It most certainly is!