The 2020 edition of the Rocky Patel Cigar Smoking world championship

This international world championship pits experienced cigar smokers against one another. The aim is to keep a cigar alight for as long as possible without relighting it. The competition is divided into three categories: Mareva, Robusto and Toro. Here is more on the 2020 edition.

The dates and venue of the qualifiers

The contest was set up in 2010 by Markko Bilic, president and founder of the Cigar Club Mareva in Split, Croatia. As every year since the first edition, the dates and venue of the Rocky Patel Cigar Smoking qualifiers are keenly awaited by aficionados. Qualifying rounds are due to take place in more than 30 countries, on set dates spread between March and mid-July. The winners then go through to the 2020 world championship.

Because of the coronavirus epidemic, some qualifying rounds have been cancelled (Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, Saigon, Shenzhen and Guangzhou). More information is available at www.cswcworld.com. The world championship final is due to be held in Split, Croatia, from 28 to 30 August 2020.

A record of 3 hours, 26 minutes and 8 seconds in 2019

Oleg Pedan won the 2019 edition. This young Russian from Saint Petersburg kept his cigar alight for more than 3 hours and 26 minutes, a striking record that many want to match or beat.

The Mareva Diamond Leaf prize awarded to the best cigar smoker in the competition is a one-off distinction. It is a way of putting the spotlight on an ordinary competitor within the closed world of the cigar.

A new Patel cigar for the occasion

Rocky Patel has announced the release of a new cigar for the Rocky Patel Cigar Smoking 2020 event. Competitors and other smokers, regular or occasional, will therefore be able to smoke the same cigar. It goes on sale by the end of the month, and buyers will be able to keep it in their humidors. The Mareva comes in packs of 10, while the Robustos and Toros are sold in packs of 20.

Competitors smoke the Mareva during the competition (5 1/8 inches). Its wrapper comes from Mexico and its binder from Nicaragua, and the filler leaves are a blend of Nicaraguan and Honduran crops.