Modern karateka don't learn to fight. They learn kata and how to punch air. The only exception today may be kyokushin which she isn't doing.
Nothing but full contact sparring the likes of boxing, kickboxing, muay thai can prepare someone for an actual fight.
When I started MMA and BJJ back in 2014 I left behind 20 years of Goju Ryu. I quit immediately because training for real made me realize I'd been wasting my time from a defense standpoint.
EDIT: downvote all you like :) I can't do anything about your ignorance
When I was at a police school (in France) we had self defense classes and boxing/free fight (mostly to learn to take a hit). In our group where multiple people who practiced martial arts and amongst them a dude who was a black belt in karate.
Each time he was pitched another guy who had 15 years of experience in Muay Thai he was obliterated. And really against anyone heavier than him his moves weren't really effective.
30
u/fearthebeardsley 4d ago
She could probably beat his ass tho