CSWC BY OLIVA CIGARS AZERBAIJAN 2026 SHOWED HUGE POWER
- expertcigar
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
CSWC by Oliva Cigars Azerbaijan has started producing competitors and champions with impressive times, and it seems like it's only a matter of time before this region reaches the top of the CSWC world.
The Azerbaijan Championship, held under CSWC rules, took place at the newly opened ‘Cigarea’ lounge in Baku, with participants from Turkey and Kazakhstan joining the event. Competitors ranged from first-timers to seasoned cigar athletes from past Grand Finals.
Eight made it to the finish line, with 2024 Azerbaijani champion Samir Rzayev placing seventh at 1:10:10, over 45 minutes slower than his personal best. Sixth place went to Katerina Zhidkova (1:17:11), known for her consistent performances in Azerbaijan and Georgia. Newcomer Dr. Parviz Nadjafov claimed fourth with 1:46:21, while the top three all crossed the two-hour mark.
Turkey’s Volkan Hunerli took third at 2:04:50, Sattar Kazimov came second at 2:11:15, and the 2026 Azerbaijani champion title went to Azer Mirtagavi at 2:15:22, improving his best by five minutes after being last year’s champion of Uzbekistan.
Nearly an hour later, Igor Titievsky achieved his personal best of 3:09:36 as guest smoker. The tournament ended with a celebratory dinner and prize ceremony hosted by international sponsors, followed the next day by a scenic tour of Azerbaijan, visiting Shamakhi, Ismayilli, Sheki, the ancient village of Baskal, climbing Mount Tufandag, and enjoying the Sheki Sharab and Chabiant wineries – all accompanied by cigars.
Yevgeny Zhidkov, CSWC International Judge: ‘We’ve held four tournaments in countries across the region this year, and if I were asked which one was the most interesting, I don’t think I could pick just one. Everywhere there was a thrilling battle for victory; there were wonderful trips for the guests, who were able to appreciate the beauty of the countries; and there were new friendships forged amidst the smoke of cigars. The CSWC is making history and forging friendships for every one of its participants.
Igor Titievsky, CSWC Region 2026’s Best Cigar Athlete: I’m delighted to have achieved such a fantastic result in Baku. I’ll be delighted to represent Azerbaijan at the World Championship Grand Final, as it was here that I managed to officially set my best result ever. Good luck to everyone, and see you in Dubrovnik!