Competitive Budo

Is this actually an oxymoron? Can one actually study a budo form of martial system and still have it be competitive? Is the term competitive budo actually a reference to competing in a tournament type event that involves budo?

When I consider the source of the phrase I tend to believe that it can and is done using a budo form, not sportive, of martial art. Competitive could mean a gathering of budo oriented practitioners where one competes against themselves in a group where they actually are demonstrating various aspects of the budo art for study and exchange of information. It may not be referencing any type of trophy oriented competition but rather a self-competitive method of exchanging discipline studies in a comparative mode or model.

If I took the phrase literally with my perceptions as to budo and competition then I would say it is an oxymoron. It is contradictory since my perception separates budo training and practice from any competitive model simply because the rules of said sportive aspects is not budo, in a sense. I guess it comes down once again to who, what, how and when one interprets budo as it relates, if it relates, to a sportive competitive model of practice and training.

Consider competitive stand-alone, i.e. it means competition as is a competitive sport. It is also indicative of one who has and displays a strong desire to be more successful in a discipline (my view as in self-competitive models), then it denotes one who is determining their status as to proficiency in a comparable nature (also my view in addition to sublimate the self-competitive model).

Then there is a competitive model where one is showing or demonstrating a fighting disposition which would be related to budo practice. It also might mean a demonstration of one's aggressive willingness to participate in budo as it applies to a conflict. It can also be a simple contest with others in demonstrating proficiency in some aspects of budo leaving the more dangerous and possibly dangerous aspects aside.

I guess if budo-ka gathered as I am suggesting to create a competitive atmosphere for the self, between other individuals, other groups, etc. that it could apply without the more traditionally sportive meaning of competitive or competition. Then again a more traditional or classical form of budo tries to train the practitioners to stay away from a possible ego and pride driven competitiveness that would hinder progress of the kind believed associated with that model or form of budo.

All good questions, all good responses and all good considerations when training and practicing in a budo tradition, yes?