Even if it wasn't he still has one important thing under his belt: a conscious decision to go on for the 10000 hours, made before he even started practicing. This is, as far as I know, rather unique.
It's unique now, but people are cost/benefits calculators. Right now, most people do not think that they could become among the best at something through a definite and discrete amount and type of training. If someone succeeds in a highly public way, it will adjust many more peoples' cost/benefits calculations.
