Ranawala Wins Indian CSWC | Cigar Journal

For the first time in three years, the Indian slow smoking record wasn’t broken during their national Cigar Smoking World Championship qualifier, but it could’ve been.

The event was hosted by India Cigar Club, a part of Luxury Ampers and Frolics Group, at the specially converted venue Thanks & Beyond in New Delhi.

“The event brought together discerning participants, cigar sommeliers, and select invitees in a celebration of ritual, heritage, and precision,” Shruthi Gupta, partnership manager at Luxury Ampers and Frolics Group. “The ambience was one of a meditative focus, with beautifully crafted cocktails, scrumptious food and a pre-party with sake, whiskeys, tequila, wine and snacks.”

The actual competition turned into what might be the one with the most penalties on the circuit this year. Within the first half hour, several contestants were penalized and all of the top three received at least 18 minutes in penalties. In fact, Ramit Narang’s time of 1 hour and 48 minutes would’ve won it for him, hadn’t he received his penalty.

“Consistent and methodical, Ramit held his lead until the final third of the cigar before conceding time due to a mid-round penalty,” Gupta explains.

Instead he had to settle for second place with a time of 1 hour and 30 minutes, as the title of champion went to Vikramaditya Ranawala at 1 hour and 46 minutes.

“An exercise in stoic control, Vikramaditya’s unshakable pace earned him the national title and a place at the world finale in Split, Croatia.”

In turn, his 20 minute penalty cost him the Indian record and the historical achievement of being the first Indian slow smoker to break the two hour barrier. Instead, the national record of 1 hour 59 minutes and 3 seconds, all penalty free and set by last year’s winner, Aakansha Vashist, remains.

Third place went to Sachin Vaish, who came in at 1 hour and 27 minutes.

“A close contender throughout, Sachin lost precious minutes to a technical infraction, but still remained among the top three,” Gupta says.

Penalty or no penalty, nothing takes away the world class performance of Ranawala.

“His time places him among serious international contenders,” Gupta concludes. “And the CSWC India Qualifier 2025 proved not only the growing passion for cigars and the immense hard work to build the cigar community in India, but also the rise of a disciplined, global-standard community that appreciates the art of taking it slow.”

1. Vikramaditya Ranawala 1:48:00
2. Ramit Narang 1:30:00
3. Sachin Vaish 1:27:00