57 stories up, at Marini’s On 57, an Italian restaurant and the highest located rooftop bar in Kuala Lumpur, the stage was set for the fifth edition of the Malaysian Cigar Smoking World Championship qualification round. Last year Wilson Lim won his third title so the big question was whether he’d be able to claim his fourth or not. Although he wasn’t far behind, he didn’t.
After 1 hour 51 minutes and 20 seconds he was out, ending up in fourth place. With two-time runner-up Areeb Wahab not even competing this year and Ms Nina finishing at 1 hour and 24 minutes, none of the names in the top three were the same as 2022.
Still the winner was no stranger to slow smoking success. Four years after having been crowned the first ever Malaysian slow smoking champion Yadie Dayana was back on the throne, but it was close. When runner-up Zahid Anas checked out at 1 hour and 57 minutes Dayana managed to hold on for another 51 seconds. Third place went to Chandra Irawan, just four minutes behind.
All in all 33 participants from Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia showed up for the competition and organizer Hazely Harun was happy.
“Everybody enjoyed the competition, and most importantly it brings the cigar community closer between the three countries”.
1. Yadie Dayana 1:57:51
2. Zahid Anas 1:57:00
3. Chandra Irawan 1:53:50
