Hauke Walter of Germany emerged victorious, smoking the Rocky Patel Mareva cigar for almost 2 hours and 52 minutes before claiming his third CSWC title and second consecutive win, making him the first in the history of the championship to have his name engraved on the trophy three times. Hauke's performance wasn't about setting a world record but rather demonstrating his composure and strategic skill under immense pressure, as he faced off against some of the greatest cigar smokers in the world.

The competition was intense, with Borys Szkodziak from Poland delivering a stellar performance, holding strong until 2 hours, 49 minutes, and 17 seconds before having to extinguish his cigar. At that moment, Borys was in third place, but the dynamics shifted dramatically in the final moments.

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The championship's climax featured a tense showdown between Anastasia Arsenova and Hauke Walter as the last two competitors. Anastasia, in an attempt to outlast Hauke, tried a risky technique known as tunneling to gain extra time. However, this strategy backfired when her cigar's band burned, resulting in a 15-minute penalty. This penalty dropped her to fifth place with a final time of 2 hours, 35 minutes, and 48 seconds, allowing Borys Szkodziak to move up and secure a well-deserved second place and Dejan Pažin from Slovenia to secure a third-place.

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The final standings of the 2024 CSWC Grand Final are as follows:

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Hauke Walter - 2:51:43
Borys Szkodziak - 2:49:17
Dejan Pažin - 2:41:19
Marcin Sekowski - 2:37:21
Anastasia Arsenova - 2:35:48 (after 15-minute penalty)

 

This year’s grand final marked a significant milestone for the CSWC, celebrating 15 years of bringing together cigar enthusiasts and professionals in a unique and prestigious competition. The Rixos Hotel in Dubrovnik provided a stunning backdrop for the event, adding to the grandeur of the occasion.

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CSWC founder and organizer Marko Bilic expressed his pride and excitement over the event's success, highlighting the passion and dedication of all participants and the growing global community of cigar aficionados. "The grand final is less about the duration and more about the intensity of competition, where the world’s best come together to compete under immense pressure. This year’s event truly embodied that spirit," Bilic stated.

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As the CSWC continues to expand its reach and influence in the world of cigars, the 2024 grand final will be remembered as a landmark event, not only for its celebration of the championship's rich history but also for witnessing Hauke Walter's historic achievement.