ASTANA TO ALMATY: KAZAKHSTAN’S SLOW SMOKING LEGEND RISES

After four strong years on the Cigar Smoking World Championship circuit, Kazakhstan continues to show remarkable growth – not just in number of events, but in skill, intensity, and passion.

After her jaw-dropping second-place finish at the 2024 Grand Final in Dubrovnik, where she famously outlasted Azer Mirtagavi by 1 hour and 41 minutes, Arsenova returned in 2025 even more dominant. Her performance in Astana stunned the crowd and the CSWC global leaderboard alike – clocking an incredible 3 hours, 42 minutes and 6 seconds.

That result not only crushed the local field but secured her 4th place on the CSWC all-time Top 20 list, just 11 minutes shy of Klaudia Ide’s world record from 2023.

“For a long time Mirtagavi was competing with Arsenova, but as he was unable to make it past the two-hour mark, Arsenova smoked all alone for the next almost two hours,” said Zhidkov, recalling the unforgettable duel.

Other cities also delivered milestones. In Aktau, Elnur Tagies made local history with 1:58:35, the city’s best-ever time. In Pavlodar, Anton Domashniy took the win with 1:31:30. But despite their strong runs, neither could break through at the final showdown in Almaty.

With Arsenova unable to attend the final, it was Igor Titievskiy who stepped up and took the national title with 1:29:40. Dzhavanshir Sharipov followed in second place at 1:18:40, while Daur Nigmatullayev secured third at 1:16:10.

Still, no one doubts whose name defined Kazakhstan’s CSWC season.

Anastasia Arsenova remains a towering presence on the international stage – consistent, composed, and clearly one of the leading contenders for the 2025 CSWC Grand Final in Split.

Kazakhstan has found its rhythm… and the world is watching.

CHECK RESULTS