CSWC DIAMOND LEAF AWARDS WINNERS 2026
The Diamond Leaf Award began as a form of recognition in 2012 and has since honored individuals who have gone above and beyond for the CSWC global community.
The Diamond Leaf Awards honor those who have become symbols of the CSWC. It’s clear that every individual and member of the CSWC organization on a global scale contributes immensely, and without these passionate, selfless people dedicating themselves to this cause for the benefit of the global cigar community, the CSWC wouldn’t thrive. Each year, the CSWC strives to recognize those who go above and beyond, pushing the organization forward or preserving its tradition, quality, and reputation for many years.
In the 2026 season, among all the organizers and personalities who contributed so much to CSWC, there was still a tough decision to make in awarding those who truly stood out that year. Traditionally, the CSWC Diamond Leaf Award ceremony was led by the honorable president of Club Mareva, Mr. Ivan Mazuranic, and, starting this year, the honorable member of Club Mareva, Mr. Enrico Maria Puglisi. This handsome and charismatic duo, dressed in black tie, brought a Hollywood Oscar vibe on the stage.
The hosts of the CSWC Diamond Leaf award ceremony were Ivan Mazuranic, Enrico Maria Puglisi, and Michael Guo.
To make the event even more spectacular, Michael Guo, a Mareva honorable member and co-owner of Katana, the world’s finest cigar scissors, as well as Nobdesigns Tokyo, took to the stage. Sporting a James Bond-style tuxedo, he presented special award prizes to the winners—a brand-new concept for a high-end cigar puncher, perfectly matching the level of recognition such individuals deserve.
The CSWC organization awarded Ms. Christina Brtnikowsky from New York, USA, in the category of Best CSWC Ambassador of the World. With a long history of involvement in CSWC, including as a competitor (USA Champion 2018), she greatly contributed to building a strong reputation for the CSWC in the USA by advocating, traveling, and organizing CSWC USA qualifiers in prestigious locations and private clubs across the country.
Christina Bartnikowski receiving the Diamond Leaf Award for Best CSWC Ambassador of the World 2026.
She also served as an advisor and member of the CSWC board, bringing her rich and valuable experience in high-end businesses. For many years, she volunteered in organizational efforts across the USA for the CSWC, selflessly giving her time and knowledge for its benefit. She also became a director of CSWC in the USA and one of the key figures in the organization.
In the category of the best qualifiers of the year, CSWC recognized among many amazing events the one with the oldest CSWC qualifying tradition – CSWC Switzerland. Serving as one of the very first qualifiers of the CSWC, alongside Montenegro and Estonia since 2012, Switzerland has been bringing CSWC excitement to its community for so long time. It all started with the initiative of Gian Carlo Casparis, one of the most important personalities in CSWC history, a founder and supporter of the qualification concept for CSWC.
Joe Kunch and Stefano Nett receiving the Diamond Leaf Award for Best Qualifier Season 2026.
Over time, Gian Carlo expanded his organization as CSWC Switzerland grew, introducing a new generation of judges and co-organizers – Joachim Kunch and Stefano Nett, an amazing duo who have worked for years alongside Gian Carlo to elevate CSWC even higher in Switzerland. In 2026, in partnership with Time Out Private Club, they hosted an outstanding all-day CSWC festival packed with daily activities, tastings, barbecues, and both private competitions for members and open ones. Everything was executed at the highest level, with incredible sponsors and partners supporting the event.
Christina and Team CSWC Switzerland more than deserved this recognition for over a decade of dedication and loyalty, unwavering passion toward CSWC, and constant motivation and energy to keep doing more for CSWC and, in turn, for the cigar community they serve.