IN BEIRUT, A STUNNING FINISH AND A CHAMPION CROWNED BY SECONDS
- expertcigar
- May 26
- 3 min read
Updated: May 29
BEIRUT, LEBANON — May 2025
In a city where passion meets elegance, and tradition is balanced by fierce competition, Beirut has once again earned its place among the CSWC elite.

It was a night of tension, precision, and high drama at Club Mareva Beirut, as the Lebanese capital hosted its official Cigar Smoking World Championship (CSWC) by Oliva 2025 Qualifier. And by the end of it, the difference between glory and heartbreak was measured not in minutes, but
in seconds.


With Marko Bilić, founder of Mareva International and the global CSWC movement, in attendance alongside his team from Croatia, the atmosphere at the elegant lounge was elevated to a rare level of prestige. Hosted by Woody and Najat, the founders of Club Mareva Beirut, the event felt like more than a qualifier—it felt like a celebration of Lebanon’s place in the global cigar world.
The competition itself delivered on every front. It was uncertain from the start, fiercely contested, and decided in the kind of finale that has become a hallmark of the CSWC by Oliva cigars circuit.

Imad Abi Khalil emerged as Beirut’s new champion, but not without suspense. He crossed the finish line with a time that included 10 penalty minutes, earned for momentarily moving the cigar from his hand. Even with the setback, he edged out his nearest rival by a mere 10 seconds—a margin so slim, it took a photo review to confirm.


That rival, Mag Demain, delivered one of the finest performances of the evening. His technique was nearly flawless, his focus unwavering, and yet, the title narrowly slipped away. It was, without question, the closest finish in CSWC Beirut history.

In third place, Paul Abou Atme secured his podium spot with composure and consistency, overtaking Eddi Abi Abdallah, who was penalized for ash loss—an error that proved costly in an event where every detail matters.
The judging was tight, the margins razor-thin, and the emotional stakes unmistakably high. Beirut’s qualifier proved once again that in slow smoking, control is everything—and that one moment of error, one flick of ash, can turn champions into challengers.

But this was more than just a competition night—it was a night of legacy.
In an emotional and memorable moment, Woody and Najat presented Marko Bilić with a true collector’s piece: a luxury limited-edition cigar book, published by a renowned cigar author and reimagined in honor of Club Mareva Beirut. Only 150 copies of this Beirut Edition exist, each customized with exclusive Club Mareva branding, design, and visual identity—a tribute not only to the Beirut club’s contribution to global cigar culture, but to the spirit of refinement and excellence that Club Mareva stands for worldwide.

To close the evening, Woody and Najat made a long-awaited announcement:The CSWC Beirut Championship will return in 2026 to the legendary Phoenicia Hotel—a grand venue befitting the growing legend of Lebanese slow smoking.

In a city where passion meets elegance, and tradition is balanced by fierce competition, Beirut has once again earned its place among the CSWC elite.