Penalty Decided CSWC Montenegro

Montenegro has managed something probably no other country has done on the Cigar Smoking World Championship circuit before. Two years in a row their qualifier has been decided by a 15 minute penalty for burning of the ring, and for one guy, the tables turned in 2024.

Just like last year, the competition was held at Casa de Puros lounge in Podgorica.

The competition began smoothly, with all competitors closely matched, according to the CSWC organization. As the race progressed, it became apparent that penalty minutes, particularly those earned for ash length, would play a crucial role in the final results.

“This event proved just how suspenseful the CSWC slow-smoking race can be, with the outcome often undecided until the final puff,” CSWC founder Marko Bilic says.

Last year Udo Beker was a newcomer, yet he was on his way to claim the title of national slow smoking champion in a very close race, when he burned the ring and ended up in third place. In fact, if Beker’s ring hadn’t burned the top three would all have finished within one minute.

This year’s competition was almost as close and Beker wasn’t playing it safe this year either.

“He demonstrated exceptional skill and composure, edging closer to the cigar ring, which is a risky maneuver.”

This time he did better, though. Instead his opponent Leila P. lost the victory because of that very mistake. Instead of winning by three and a half minutes she came in third a 1 hour 17 minutes and 34 seconds. Second place went to Stefan K. at 1 hour 27 minutes and 20 seconds, one minute and 34 seconds after the 2024 national champion of Montenegro, Udo Beker.

“The final moments of the competition were a testament to the nerves, focus, and determination required to excel in the CSWC, where every second and every puff counts,” Bilic says.

1. Udo Beker 1:28:54
2. Stefan K. 1:27:20
3. Leila P. 1:17:34