That means it would've been even easier for Zoro to unlock CoC with proper guidance. All it takes for Sanji is to tell him "don't doubt yourself" and he awakens it in an hour. Zoro was grinding for 2 years wanting to get stronger and Mihawk only told him to remember for the future.
I’m honestly struggling to see how you’re reaching those conclusions, so let me clarify our positions.
You’re saying Gaban:
1. Recognized Sanji as someone with CoC potential.
2. Gave him guidance to help awaken it.
I’m saying Mihawk:
A. Likewise recognized Zoro as having CoC potential, which is implied by his dialogue in the new chapter.
B. Told Zoro that CoC can’t be awakened through training.
You conclude:
1. Mihawk didn’t recognize Zoro’s CoC potential.
2. Mihawk gave Zoro no guidance regarding awakening it.
The first is directly implied in the new chapter.
As for the second Zoro had no mental block preventing his awakening so Mihawk couldn’t give him the same kind of advice Gaban gave Sanji. And that’s literally the only guidance Gaban gave Sanji.
And once again he emphasize that it
can't be acquire through training.
So I genuinely don’t see how any of this works against Mihawk.
Of course CoC is important, I am not denying it. My point is, that WSS title is not simply = having the strongest CoC of all, but being the strongest in a particular fighting style which obviously includes CoC. If Kaido switches his club for a Meito and mimics his Thunder Bagua attacks with it, him beating Mihawk won't just turn him into the WSS.
That's why you hear every dedicated swordsman, be it Zoro, be it his master Koshiro or the Wano samurai talking about cutting what a swordsman is measured up to. No one ever said using sword strikes that resemble a cannon ball and Hammer (Xebec) being testament of great swordskill.
Being WSS means being stronger than any other swordsman in a sword duel.
CoC/CoA/CoO/DF/physical strength ect all contribute to enhance your overall combat ability including your swordsmanship.
I’m not arguing that having the “strongest” CoC is absolutely necessary to be WSS, because it isn’t.
I’m arguing against your original take that Mihawk didn’t dedicate enough time or attention to training CoC when he literally said he couldn’t make Zoro awaken it through training and explicitly emphasized how important the ability is.