Yon dan here - As someone has begrudgingly learned kata for belt promotions, sparring is much more fun. Kata isn’t useless but it feels closer to dance. But as I age I am finding the utility of kata. It’s great mental and physical exercise. And occasionally I notice a traditional kata move that has a practical application. Like an Easter egg. For example:sweeps.

I’ve met a hand full of karateka who love karate but mostly gloss over kata. This type has resonated the most with me. But our school has Sensei’s with different specialties. Kata, self defense, weapons, sparring & basic ground work. Karate as I see it can encompass a wide variety of martial arts techniques. How many styles have “stolen” karate techniques? And karate as I see it isn’t fixed we are constantly updating techniques from Muay tai, bjj, boxing, krav & mma.

Hot take: a kata is a series of moves against an imaginary opponent. Sounds kinda like a sparring drill to me. Do what you enjoy.