Wow, I read the interview. That's got to be an exaggeration. I mean...18 hours a day? I really hope that's an exaggeration anyway. That leaves only 6 hours for work/school, eating, sleeping and hygiene. Even assuming work/school isn't a factor, which it pretty much can't be with so little time, that's pretty insane and definitely unhealthy.
I wouldn't be too proud of that accomplishment myself, but if it's what he set out to do then congratulations again. I almost kind of hope he really was cheating now. He'd be better off as a cheater than as someone so obsessed with playing.