Astor Bar hosts first 2019 Asian Cigar Smoking World Championship qualifier

The first Asian qualification round of the Cigar Smoking World Championship for 2019 was held on Saturday evening at Astor Bar, St Regis in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia’s Trinidad Cigar Company brought the qualification event to the country for the first time, with 14 competitors and over 20 spectators enjoying a night of cigar camaraderie and friendly competition.

The qualification event’s tense finish captivated the audience, with just three seconds separating first and second place. Cigar store owner Mr Yadie Dayana, who flew in from Jakarta, Indonesia, took first place and won the Cuervo y Sobrinos watch with a time of 1 hour, 40 minutes, 46 seconds. Mr Farid Herman, also from Indonesia, just missed first place with a time of 1:40:43. Mr Andreas Vogiatzakis placed third with a time of 1:37:33.

Marko Bilic & Dato Indera Naresh Mohan | Photo: Samuel Spurr

“I was very happy to join the great event and meet with wonderful people who share the same language of cigar culture,” said Yadie Dayana. “My cigar almost went out two times, so I’m glad I could finish as the winner. For me, cigars are not a competition, but about friendship, relationships and trust. I appreciate Mr Naresh and Mr Hazely from Trinidad Group, and most importantly, Marko Bilic. Thank you!”

“This was first time we have conducted the event in Malaysia,” said CSWC Founder Mark Bilic. “Astor Bar was a great venue and I’d like to thank Malaysian company Trinidad Cigar Company for bringing the Championship to Kuala Lumpur. It was a great event with so many local and regional cigar identities taking part!”

“It was our absolute pleasure to host the first Cigar World Smoking Championship in Malaysia,” said Dato’ Indera Naresh Mohan. “We can’t wait to host next year’s event and see if our inaugural winner’s time can be beaten.”