I don't think it really works. As a viewer you're usually expected to project and identify with the main characters, with the protagonists. Sawyer isn't around enough to identify with, and he doesn't actually affect Ash at all. Ash doesn't learn anything from him, he doesn't seem to be affected all that much by him, not any more than "Hey you're strong let's battle". It stays shallow, there's no depth there because Ash says that to everyone. They differ on how they approach pokémon battling, but that never leads to conflict or Ash learning anything. Like, if you compare it to Ash's rivalry with Gladion, they both have similar goals of getting stronger and both care about their pokémon and about Lillie, but they differ and conflict over their approach to Ultra Beasts as their past experiences are so different. Gladion had his family torn apart by Ultra Beasts, lost his father and witnessed Lillie getting traumatised by them, while Ash's experience is just the cute Nebby eating lots of star candy. Gladion's initial aversion to Nebby sparks conflict and affects Ash on an emotional level, and eventually they both learn from each other. Sawyer just puts Ash on a pedestal and tries to reach that height, but since he's not a protagonist it doesn't really hit home with the viewer as much and Sawyer is the only one growing and changing in that relationship.
Such a dynamic can work if the protagonist is the underdog who gets inspired by someone stronger, like how Ash and Torracat are with Masked Royal and Incineroar, because you identify with Ash and Masked Royal/Kukui is more a supporting character, but from the point of view of Kukui it just wouldn't be too interesting on its own so they usually go with gags there with his hidden identity to keep that viewpoint interesting, and they did the reverse with kid Kukui for the inspiration to give him more depth than just a milestone to reach.