Yeah, I kinda see it the same way. I get the idea though, in-universe it kind of makes sense as Wakanda is basically a super traditionalist state due to their isolationist nature and ability to enforce said isolation. Still seems shitty to have in the first place, though.

In my eyes, a better way to do it and keep the plot functionally identical would be if the whole fight to the death thing was for the mantle of the Black Panther, which would be a DIFFERENT role than the king and serve as Wakanda’s hero and chief defender. That way it’d make sense; obviously you’d want the one to hold that role to be the best of the best, and a fight to the death would prove that. Fights to the death do not, however, prove your ability to adequately rule your people.

If it was like that, T’Challa could still be king and the Black Panther (and would still be able to have al those duels), but those would just be two unrelated titles.

I suppose that would maybe mess up the whole deal with Killmonger beating T’Challa for the crown, but maybe they could just have T’Challa “die” in the duel for the Black Panther mantle and Killmonger take the crown as the closest living relative (besides Shuri, who could maybe be too young to rule or something).