World Conker Championships investigate alleged cheating
It's after it was discovered a contestant had a metal conker they say was for 'humour value'
Last updated 15th Oct 2024
Alleged cheating at the Northamptonshire World Conker Championships is being investigated.
Men's winner 82 year old David Jakins AKA King Conker, who won the Men's Title for the first time after competing since 1977, was found with a metal replica conker in his pocket.
The competition was held on Sunday 13th October in Southwick Northamptonshire, and has been running since 1965, and raised over £420,000 pounds for sight loss charities.
A player alleged foul play after reportedly seeing his conker 'disintegrated in one hit' according to The Telegraph.
David Jakins has reportedly insisted he didn't use the metal conker, and had it purely for 'humour value'.
Jakins was named Men's Winner, but was beaten to overall winner by the Women's Champion, 32 year old Kelci Banschbach, from Indianapolis, the first US contestant. Over 200 people took part with thousands of spectators.
A spokesperson for the World Conker Championships tells us the metal conker is ‘indistinguishable’ from a real one, 'except for its weight.'
They added:
"We are currently reviewing video evidence, but the winning Conker has been retained and found to be ok. We think the conclusion will be that the title was win fairly, as evidence is pointing that way."
It will be a relief for David Jakins, who won on Sunday for the first time after more than 40 years competing.