Here's the defense.
George Lucas says so, it's HIS story.
Alright, if its HIS story, why do YOu care, for one? Another, Lucas has obviously signed off on every bit of EU in one way or another. Where is it that he says specifically himself as recorded (Since that is the entire basis of your point) that no EU character shall ever be stronger or better than Luke, Sidious, Vader, etc? Where does it say Luke was able to beat Qui Gon Jinn by ROTJ?
And since we're using GL's words as fact, has he ever contradicted himself? Has he ever said things that were clearly off or not true? Anything?
Qui-Gon focused heavily on the 'living force' and Luke would still be relatively unexperienced on things like that, and would only gain that kinda knowledge after ROTJ (again this should be EU). Qui-Gon's pretty good with a lightsaber though unless we remember that no one can actually kill Luke, it just never happens.
Luke would win hands down. Qui Gon is great but if Luke can beat Vader with only minumum training just imagine what he'll do to Qui Gon.
I think Qui Gon is supremem for knowledge and trusting in the force but when it comes to saber dueling he coudn't even beat Maul and you know Vader would have defeated Maul. And if Luke can beat Vader do the math
Pure lightsaber skill wise i'd say Maul is better than Vader. I really don't think Vader is the best swordsman ever. Plus, I have conceded to the fact that Vader was conflicted against Luke. If he wanted to, he could have easily obliterated Luke. I doubt Luke could have held off Maul the way Qui-Gon did.
maul defeated both qui-gon and obi wan.(yes, i know obi killed him, yet he was still defeated, since he lost his saber and was hangin from that stick or w/e). obi wan defeated anakin. anakin pre-lava bath was stronger then luke, that means obi wan was stronger then luke. qui-gon and obi wan are at least same level, maybe qui-gon is even better, following: Qui-gon wins.
P.S. if u understood what i just wrote, PM me and explain it to me. lol, no kiddn, but that is some complicated shit.
Qui-Gon Jinn is probably one of my favorite jedis, him and Obi-Wan were amazing together. Up againt 'Jedi' Luke, it's so hard to say. I mean Qui-Gon was more than accomplished. I think his nature alone would prevent a batte from even happening, but that's obviously to be excuse for the sake of the post. I think Luke did very well against Vader, but Qui-Gon was masterful all throughout EP I. Maybe like EP II OBI vs. 'Jedi; Luke would be a better fight. I may be biast though, the Qui-Gon/Obi-Wan duo has a special little place in my heart.