HONSH EDGES OUT NOVYSEDLÁK IN A DRAMATIC SLOVAKIA CSWC FINAL
- expertcigar
- Jun 12
- 3 min read
Slovakia’s 2025 Cigar Smoking World Championship by Oliva Cigars Qualifier produced one of the most compelling duels of the season to date.
The stage was set early. Registration was handled with care and warmth, setting the tone for an evening that blended competition with camaraderie. A welcome drink from Dictador served as both icebreaker and signal of the event’s elevated standard.
As the first cigars were lit, the opening phase unfolded in a gentlemanly spirit. But by the end of the first hour, the field began to tighten. With nine competitors still in contention, the tension in the room rose palpably — a testament to both the depth of talent and the growing competitive culture within Slovakia’s CSWC community.
Yet it was in the final stretch where the evening found its narrative — one defined by rivalry, resilience, and a duel that spoke to the essence of the sport.
Two men remained.
Peter Novysedlák, the defending Slovak champion, and Július Honsch, a veteran competitor making his return to the national stage, both having represented Slovakia on the world stage in Split. Their shared experience was evident — every draw, every pause, every glance told a story of years spent perfecting the art of controlled combustion.
It was a rematch of last year’s final, in which Novysedlák had prevailed. This year, however, fate favored Honsch.
In a final sequence that held the room in silence, Július Honsch edged out Novysedlák by a margin of just 21 seconds, reclaiming the national title and earning the honor of representing Slovakia at the 2025 CSWC Grand Final.
“It was an incredible contest,” one official noted. “When two competitors of this caliber meet, every moment matters — and this time, it was Július’s night.”
Best of the Best — CSWC Slovakia by Oliva Cigars 2025 - From top to bottom: Július Honsch, Peter Novysedlák, Peter Kaša.
Behind the spectacle was a structure of growing excellence — a result of the combined efforts of the CSWC global team, led by Marko Bilić, and an expanding network of both international and regional sponsors.
Special honor was visit and participation of Mario Gerardi CEO from Cuervo y Sobrinos official CSWCD timkeeper who handed ower to the Julius his well deserved CyS watch
This year’s Slovak event benefitted from the support of Comein s.r.o., Dictador, Williams Art Hotel, Chilai Restaurant, and The Cuba Libre Rum & Cigar House, whose partnership helped elevate both the atmosphere and standard of competition.
and as always, the event was powered by the dedication of the official global sponsors of the Cigar Smoking World Championship by Oliva Cigars:Oliva Cigars, ST Dupont, Cuervo y Sobrinos Watches, DeART Humidors, Boveda, Damat Tween, Cigar Journal, InterTabac Fair, Les Fines Lames, Bosquet Paris Cigar Etuis, and Hulecos.
As Slovakia looks toward Split with renewed ambition, one truth is clear: the nation’s top competitors are now among the most disciplined and formidable in Europe. And in Július Honsch, Slovakia sends a champion shaped by rivalry, experience, and the pursuit of perfection.