Roshi stating Goku and Kuririn may enter the tournament

[ahill1]

When Kuririn and Goku were on their first day training and delivering milk, Roshi stated they "may" enter the tournament if they train hard enough without shrinking. I think later wording also supports the idea that "entering the tournament" basically means qualifying for the final rounds, to fight amongst the 8 strongest. Could that possibly mean Goku and Kuririn, initially, wouldn't likely even get past the preliminary?

 

[Captain Cadaver]

By Roshi's estimates, he may not have believed they'd get past the preliminaries without finishing their training, though it's worth noting Roshi is aware of Budokai in which such contestants as Akkuman or Chappa took part, so Goku and Kuririn's chances of getting to the top 8 were always up in the air depending on the match-ups.