What if he doesn't want to be the very best, just to explore, meet new people and make new friends in a whole new region?
Or maybe learn its dialect, study its history, enjoy its scenery... there's so much to do than just being the very best.
Plus, who's not the very best these days? It's like passing a school degree nowadays.
Back in my days, it was way harder. Actually, it was so hard nobody managed to beat the Champion. For years.
There should be a special path for those who aren't into pokémon battles. Just saying.