THE NEW ERA — FRESH NAMES READY TO CHALLENGE THE OLD GUARD

With the CSWC Grand Final in Split now just days away, the stage is set for one of the most unpredictable showdowns in championship history.

Etan Patel (left) and Drew Emch from the USA in high focus during the Gran Final 2023—names who could make CSWC history in this year's grand finale.

While the legends of the sport prepare to defend their legacy, a wave of new challengers is emerging — and they are ready to shake the foundations of the slow-smoking world.

The 2025 season has revealed a new breed of competitors — hungry, fearless, and armed with the skills to take on even the most seasoned veterans. From dazzling performances in qualifiers to unexpected record-breaking times, these rising stars have already shown they can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the best.

Etan Patel is having an incredible competition year and seems unstoppable.

Among the names to watch are Ethan Patel from London, whose consistency this season has been nothing short of phenomenal, and Marian Andella from Italy, who has delivered remarkable times that place him firmly among the elite.

Marian Nendela, the Italian favorite, consistently performs well under pressure. He's having an outstanding season—can he finish on top?

Daniel from Austria — known for his calm, unshakable style — is also poised to make a big impact in Split.

Daniel from Austria – always present, always a major threat to the big names. Once on the podium in the grand final – can he repeat that in 2025?

Ivan Kristo from Croatia might be the biggest surprise of the season. In three competitions, he placed in the top 3 twice, and in the time chase, he secured a spot in the top 10 best of the season.

One of the biggest surprises of the 2025 season comes from Croatia — Ivan Krišto. In only three appearances this year, he has already made his mark: twice stepping onto the podium and, in a Time Chase event, climbing to 10th place in the global Top 20 rankings. Considering that nearly 2,600 competitors have taken part in the 2025 season, this meteoric rise has caught the attention of the entire CSWC community.

Sergey Galevski, one of the most prominent slow smokers with several official times exceeding three hours, will unfortunately miss this grand final.

However, the final Top 20 list comes with a twist — some major names will be absent from the Grand Final due to visa and other issues. Among them are Galevski, Shagaj, and possibly Oleg Pedan. Their absence leaves the door wide open for new contenders to step in and make history.

Rolf and Skaaras, the Norwegian duo known for their incredible performances in qualifiers, have a chance to shine in the 2025 grand final. Can they replicate their success and secure Norway's first-ever top 3 spot in the world?

That opportunity could well be seized by Skaaras and Rolf from Norway, a serious threat with his remarkable times this season, or Parein, the Belgian champion who has defended his national title for four consecutive years and remains one of the most consistent top performers in Europe.

After defending his title as Belgium Champion three times, Marco from Belgium seems ready to take on something bigger on the global stage—let's see!

The Polish team is also looking incredibly strong, fielding multiple competitors capable of breaking into the top spots.

Poland has proven itself as a hub for an impressive number of skilled slow smokers, showcasing new faces and names on stage with over three hours of smoking. Anything seems possible for Poland.

And we cannot overlook Drew from the USA, the reigning American champion, defending his title for the third year in a row. Drew has already been third in the world at a Grand Final, and his calm, focused style makes him a massive threat to anyone aiming for the podium.

Borys from Poland, the only Polish world champion (middle ) will miss this year's grand finale. Could this be an opportunity for newcomers to reach the top of the slow smoking world this year?

The departure of big names like Boris and Claudia from this year’s competition only adds to the intrigue, leaving room for fresh talent to rise to the occasion. From Asia to the Americas, newcomers are pushing deep into the Top 20 with times that rival the legends.

Is it possible for this man to achieve the impossible -to win the world champion title three times in a row, and have his name engraved on the trophy for a fourth time, and on that journey become the GOAT - Hauke Walter from Germany?

But make no mistake — the old guard will not give up their thrones easily. The likes of Hauke , Anastasia, Tomasz, Igor Kovačić, Henrik Kristensson, and potentially Oleg Pedan (visa permitting) will bring the weight of experience, championship pedigree, and the knowledge of what it takes to win on the world stage.

As the countdown continues, one question burns brighter than any cigar ember: Will 2025 mark the rise of a new champion from this fearless new generation… or will the legends remind everyone why they are called legends?