A Grand-Final-Worthy Debut: Oleg Grinovsky to Represent the Baltic Region at CSWC

CONNOISSEUR Cigar Club member Oleg Grinovsky achieved an exceptional result in competitive cigar smoking on his very first attempt: he took second place at the CSWC Baltic Qualifying Tournament and earned the right to compete in the international Grand Final in Dubrovnik.

On June 20, 2026, Moscow’s 19/72 Cigar Lounge hosted the Second Open Baltic CSWC Qualifying Tournament in slow cigar smoking, organised by the Horsepower Cigar Club.

The competition brought together thirteen participants, including prominent figures in competitive cigar smoking: three-time world champion Alexander Shagai, Latvian CSWC tournament winner Anastasia Arsenova, 2023 CSWC finalist Andrey Leontiev and experienced athlete Sergey Galevsky.

Against this background, Oleg Grinovsky’s performance was a genuine sensation. For the CONNOISSEUR member, this was his first slow-smoking competition. Despite having no tournament experience, Oleg demonstrated exceptional composure, concentration and an instinctive feel for the cigar.

The competition cigar was the CSWC Oliva Mareva. Under the tournament’s strict rules, participants had to maintain an even burn and achieve the longest possible smoking time while avoiding penalties and premature extinguishing.

Oleg completed his performance in 2 hours, 18 minutes and 27 seconds, taking second place. Only Alexander Shagai — a three-time world champion with more than ten years of competitive slow-smoking experience — finished ahead of him, with a time of 2 hours, 27 minutes and 30 seconds. Sergey Galevsky placed third in 2 hours, 5 minutes and 58 seconds.

One might say that Oleg finished first after Alexander Shagai. This is not merely a joke, but an accurate description of the scale of his achievement: only nine minutes and three seconds separated the debutant from one of the strongest competitors in the world.

For a first tournament, this was more than a successful result — it was a serious statement of sporting intent. Oleg proved that he can compete on equal terms with highly experienced opponents and remain calm throughout more than two hours of intense competition.

Alexander Shagai’s victory entitled him to compete in the forthcoming CSWC Grand Final in Dubrovnik. However, because he could not travel to Croatia on the competition dates, the champion transferred that place to Oleg Grinovsky.

A CONNOISSEUR member will now represent the Baltic region on the international cigar stage.

Oleg’s forthcoming appearance will be an important occasion for the whole club. On the day of the Grand Final, CONNOISSEUR members plan to gather, watch the live broadcast and support their fellow member from afar.

Renowned ring announcer Alexander Zagorsky will add the excitement of major sport to the club screening. His participation will help convey the atmosphere of the competition and make the club’s support for Oleg even more vivid and emotional.

Although the Baltic tournament was not organised by CONNOISSEUR, the achievement of one of its members has become a source of shared pride. The club supports Oleg’s ambition to develop in competitive cigar smoking and is ready to stand beside him at the next stage of the journey.

Ahead lie a new country, an international Grand Final, the strongest rivals and an entirely different level of responsibility. Yet whatever the final result, Oleg has already accomplished a great deal: on his first attempt he reached the podium and earned the opportunity to represent his region at the sport’s principal tournament.

We are proud of our fellow club member, congratulate him on an outstanding debut and wish him confidence, composure and victory in Dubrovnik!

Oleg, the entire CONNOISSEUR club will be cheering for you!