Pareijn Won Third CSWC in Belgium

When Belgium organized its first Cigar Smoking World Championship qualifier in 2022, the winner was Anthony Baert. That makes him the only other person able to call himself Belgian slow smoking champion, because this year Marco Pareijn did it again. He won for the third time.

The event was once again held at the stately mansion from the first half of the 18th century, which served as a former Officers Club during World War I. It attracted 50 people, which is not easy in a heavily restricted country like Belgium.

“After three successful editions, we were even able to welcome some new faces, which is not evident in Belgium, where organizing in publicly accessible places and advertising is not permitted,” organizer Dinny Vandamme says.

30 of the guests had their eyes on the prize, but most of those eyes were also on Pareijn, the only Belgian competitor to smoke for more than two hours.

“This year, Marco exuded calmness and confidence,” Vandamme says. “It was clear…again, he was the man to beat.”

He didn’t convince from the start, though. At least five people were ahead of him, but his experience paid off.

“While he was able to keep calm, nerves took over for the other competitors. They took too many risks and one by one they systematically lost their burn and had to leave the table.”

Eleven participants reached one hour, five of them reached an hour and a half.

“Meanwhile, the champion quietly continued to work on a nice time, ready to sharpen the current Belgian record,” Vandamme continues.

After almost two hours Pareijn was once again the only one standing. Jan Ovaere was able to claim third place by a minute, when his cigar went out at 1 hour 48 minutes and 8 seconds. Seven minutes later, Gilles Tanghe was able to repeat his performance from the premier year and end up second.

The question now was if Pareijn would be able to beat the Belgian record from last year, of 2 hours 18 minutes and 4 seconds? The answer was yes, by approximately eleven minutes.

The new Belgian record is now 2 hours 29 minutes and 29 seconds.

“There are still many national championships to come, of course. Yet we secretly hope to see our Belgian tricolor in the final top 20 times of 2025,” Vandamme concludes.

1. Marco Pareijn 2:29:29
2. Gilles Tanghe 1:55:20
3. Jan Ovaere: 01:48:08