So now that we have cleared up the misconception of Obi Wan not having accolades to match Jinn's let us move on to the most pertinent line of comparison between them, their sparring match
Qui-Gon was hoping that the physical activity would help his Padawan release some tension - and piece things together in his mind. Regardless, focusing on something entirely different would be a good change of pace.
Obi-Wan seemed reluctant as they exited the building. But once he was outside and facing his Master, his eyes flashed with an intensity that surprised Qui-Gon. The young Jedi ignited his lightsaber, and Qui-Gon did the same.
The two Jedi circled each other slowly with their lightsabers raised, as if in a dance. Obi-Wan moved gracefully, his eyes locked on Qui-Gon's. It was as if he were challenging him to do something, to make the first move.
Qui-Gon did. He brought his lightsaber down in a powerful strike - once, twice, three times. Obi-Wan was there to block each blow. The graceful arcs he made with his blade were confident and accurate. His eyes never left his Master's face.
Qui-Gon suddenly realized that his Padawan's lightsaber skills had improved significantly in the past months. His physical energy was exceptional - young and true. Obi-Wan was fighting like a Jedi Knight.
Not to mention trusting his instincts, Qui-Gon thought wryly. He suddenly had the feeling that one day the boy would beat him. And that such a day might not be so far away.
The two Jedi dodged and weaved with incredible speed, their ignited blue and green blades blurs of energy in the Vorzyd night. But behind them pulsed something even stronger-Jedi will. Obi-Wan wanted to be treated as an equal, Qui-Gon knew. But while he had grownup a lot in the last four years, he was only seventeen. He still had much to learn.
With each stroke, Qui-Gon pushed Obi-Wan farther back. It was not terribly difficult. But even as he advanced on his Padawan, Qui-Gon had the feeling that Obi-Wan was allowing him to do it - that the Padawan was somehow in control.
He was. In a flash of blinding green light Obi-Wan swung, ducked, and turned. His blue eyes flashed and a small smile turned up the corners of his lips. He now had the upper hand.
Qui-Gon was accustomed to this kind of haughty strategy coming from an enemy. But it was slightly unnerving to see it in his own Padawan learner. And yet it had worked.
As if picking up on his Master's thoughts, Obi-Wan stepped up the pace an additional notch. Now he was swinging repeatedly and with phenomenal strength, pushing Qui-Gon in a wide arc around the courtyard. His green blade was a bright blur in the darkness, and his entire body moved with certainty and empowerment.
Qui-Gon had to concentrate - hard - to keep ahead of his Padawan. They had fought side by side often enough for him to be able to guess what Obi-Wan would do next. Of course, the same was true of Obi-Wan. And once in a while the young Jedi blocked a blow so quickly that Qui-Gon knew the boy had known exactly what was coming.
With a flash and a buzz, the lightsabers met in a raised cross. Both men were breathless, sweating from the exertion. This had been no lighthearted spar.
Obi-Wan looked up at his Master, his eyes bright and intense. It was clear that he had not actually won the match, but that he had stated his case firmly. Something had changed between them. Obi-Wan had taken yet another step toward becoming a Jedi Knight, and Qui-Gon was closer than ever to letting him go.
Credit: Jedi Apprentice-The Threat Within
So, I have heard people simply disregard this on the basis that it is just a sparring match, but it is clearly not true, based on the evidence
1. This was clearly stated to be "no lighthearted spar" making it evident that this was an actual demonstration of their abilities
2. By the end of the match, Qui Gon was panting and sweating hard. Another clear indication that Qui Gon was pushed to his limits( so was Obi Wan but still). To emphasize how impressive this actually is, this was 8 years before TPM, at a time Jinn would have been in peak physical state( lessening physicals vs increasing augmentation by his power) and he is still reduced to the same state as Maul did to him on Tatooine
3. While the text does make it clear that Obi Wan didn't actually win the match, he did manage to "state his case firmly" which as clearly stated, was that Obi Wan wanted to be seen as an equal.
You get the point. Even if I become generous and say that Qui Gon is noticeably superior to him at this stage, it is clearly obvious that they are comparable enough and that Jinn obviously does not have any significant, let alone big edge over him.
Another more pertinent fact is that Obi Wan is just 17 at this stage. Obviously his growth rate is going to be higher than Qui Gon's so by the time we get to TPM, he should be near equal to his master, should he not?
This is exactly what the evidence tells us
Obi Wan lacks only Qui Gon's experience to become his equal as a swordsman
Credit: The Phantom Menace Prima Guide
So, Obi Wan only lacks in experience, compared to Qui Gon, even by TPM. As a swordsman otherwise, he is equal to Qui Gon.
This is supported by Obi Wan learning nearly everything his master can teach him
By the time of the blockade of the planet Naboo, Obi Wan has learned nearly everything that his master can teach him, though he is perhaps less aware of the living Force than Qui Gon would prefer, lacking the kind of intuition and compassion that makes the older Jedi a Master.
Credit: Core Rulebook
You get the point. Obi Wan has almost all the knowledge and techniques of Qui Gon by TPM and he has learned them to the extent that Qui Gon has almost nothing left to teach him. So, at this point, Obi Wan being almost equal to Qui Gon has to be evident.
Lastly, let's not take only Obi Wan's sparring match with Qui Gon as evidence. Let's look at his sparring match with Plo Koon:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzEaADRS7Pk
Now, the sparring match is game mechanics and that is not canon however, the cutscene that happens afterwards is canon( in Legends) in the game
Plo directly admits inferiority to Obi Wan in the game
"I now see your master was not bragging when he told me he was training my replacement. You are strong in the Force, young Kenobi. It is no small thing to defeat a Jedi Master in combat."
Credit: Plo Koon, Star Wars-Obi Wan
Yes, he sparred with other Jedi Masters in the game as well, but none of them admitted inferiority to him as Plo did, they merely remarked that he was impressive overall.
In conjunction with all his accolades stating that he is among the best Jedi and that he matched Jinn when he was just 17, the quote about him being equal to Jinn, only lacking his experience, this feat supports all of them pretty well, and vice versa. Overall, all the evidences stack up perfectly with the view and my stance that Obi Wan by TPM is Qui Gon level.
The impressive thing about the battle with Plo is that Plo gave Obi Wan's victory to his raw power in the force, not just his skills with the lightsaber. The accolade about Plo being one of the most powerful Jedi Masters in history is pretty well known, but actually, Plo was among the greatest heroes in the galaxy, when he himself was just a padawan
A Kel Dor from the planet Dorin, Plo Koon became one of the Old Republic’s greatest heroes while still only a Padawan Learner.
Credit: Star Wars Fact File 123
So, as a padawan, Obi Wan is better than a Jedi Master having centuries of experience over being among the greatest heroes in the galaxy when the Jedi Master himself was just a padawan.
So, the historical hype Kenobi gets during TPM alone is
Kenobi as an apprentice>One of the most powerful Jedi in history>>>>>>>>One of the greatest heroes in the galaxy
This is all when the Jedi are at their prime. Taken at face value, if Qui Gon wasn't actually superior to Obi Wan by TPM, this alone would be hype greater than any that Jinn has to his credit.
Summarizing:
1. Kenobi has numerous accolades of him being among the best Jedi in the galaxy as a padawan, has statements implying his training was top notch, and is held in an incredibly high regard by Yoda, Qui Gon, and other Council Members
2. Kenobi contended with Jinn when he was just 17 years old and proved that he was loosely comparable to the latter. Getting to TPM, he has learned nearly everything Qui Gon can teach him and is equal to Qui Gon, barring the latter's experience
3. He is superior to Plo Koon and the latter directly admits inferiority to him, citing Kenobi's strength in the force as a reason for his victory over him.
With that, Kenobi by TPM, being comparable to Qui Gon is probably established. Here, part 2 is about how AoTC Kenobi, someone, superior to TPM Kenobi in every single way and significantly, is better than Qui Gon. Researching all these sources took up too much of my time, so I'll probably get to part 2 tomorrow or late today. You shouldn't respond to this part till I get part 2 up too.