SPLIT, Croatia — The 2019 Cigar Smoking World Championships, now in their 10th year, saw over 120 competitors gathereto determine who could smoke a cigar the slowest. Photographed for The New York Times.

Oleg Pedan focuses on his cigar as fellow competitors, judges and spectators look on, moments before winning the 10th Cigar Smoking World Championships at Radisson Blu Resort & Spa on August 31, 2019 in Split, Croatia. At right, in red, is Marko Bilic, the founder of the Cigar Smoking World Championships and emcee for the event. At left, seated, is former world champion Darren Cioffi, and leaning in behind him is head judge and Olympic sports shooter Marija Marovi.

2019 World Champion Oleg Pedan, 29, of St. Petersburg, Russia, poses for a portrait at the 10th Cigar Smoking World Championships in Split, Croatia. Pedan won the competition with a time of 3:26:42.

Competitors, sponsors and other attendees smoke cigars and eat dinner at a reception the night before the 10th Cigar Smoking World Championships at on August 30, 2019 in Split, Croatia.

2018 World Champion Hauke Walter, of Germany, poses for a portrait at the 10th Cigar Smoking World Championships on August 31, 2019 in Split, Croatia. Walter finished with a time of 0:32:14.

Competitor Igor "The Swedish Tiger" Kovacic listens to Rage Against The Machine while awaiting the beginning of the 10th Cigar Smoking World Championships at Radisson Blu Resort & Spa on August 31, 2019 in Split, Croatia.

Sarah Saunders, of the United Kingdom, poses for a portrait at the 10th Cigar Smoking World Championships on August 31, 2019 in Split, Croatia. Saunders finished with a time of 0:57:40.

A place setting with a cigar is seen before a gala dinner following the 10th Cigar Smoking World Championships at Radisson Blu Resort & Spa on August 31, 2019 in Split, Croatia.

Andrey Aseev, of Russia, poses for a portrait at the 10th Cigar Smoking World Championships on August 31, 2019 in Split, Croatia. Aseev finished with a time of 1:02:14.

Competitors light their cigars, for which they are allotted two matches and one minute, during the 10th Cigar Smoking World Championships at Radisson Blu Resort & Spa on August 31, 2019 in Split, Croatia.

Anastasia Lukyanova, of France, poses for a portrait at the 10th Cigar Smoking World Championships on August 31, 2019 in Split, Croatia. Lukyanova finished with a time of 2:06:47.

Men perform a choreographed fight with flaming swords during a gala dinner following the 10th Cigar Smoking World Championships at Radisson Blu Resort & Spa on August 31, 2019 in Split, Croatia.

Mirko Ivanic, of Austria, poses for a portrait at the 10th Cigar Smoking World Championships on August 31, 2019 in Split, Croatia. Ivanic finished with a time of 0:09:40.

Oleg Pedan hoists his trophy after being crowned, for the second time, World Champion with a time of 3:26:42 at the 10th Cigar Smoking World Championships at Radisson Blu Resort & Spa on August 31, 2019 in Split, Croatia.