World Conker Championship winner cleared of cheating
Men's winner 82 year old David Jakin's had been accused of using a metal conker he always said he had for 'humour value.'
Last updated 21st Oct 2024
The men's World Conker Championships (WCC) winner has been cleared of cheating after a steel chestnut was found in his pocket.
David Jakins, known as "King Conker", won the Men's tournament in Northamptonshire Sunday 13th for the first time.
He's been competing since 1977.
Organisers say various evidence has been considered, including video and photographic, testimony and examination of winning conkers.
"The conclusion of the investigation is that the World Championship Men’s title was won fairly, and that the steel conker was NOT used in play."
Alastair Johnson-Ferguson accepted defeat with good grace and sportsmanship, and we find the words used in some press stories to be unjust.
WCC say they finds their procedures to be robust adding:
"The rules and procedures, designed to ensure fair play, ensure the integrity of the competition."
They say video evidence following the men’s final appears to show Mr Jakins putting his hand in his pocket before putting his other hand in a different pocket and drawing out a conker he had prepared earlier to throw to the crowd.
However, in so doing, the video shows clearly that he was watched by a judge who was looking directly at his hand. As well as two judges, the investigating officer then appears, looking closely at what Mr Jakins is doing, as well as the Chief Umpire.
They organisers say that it would be near impossible for Mr Jakins to have swapped the conkers unnoticed.
Two of the conkers Mr Jakins won matches with have also been examined, and are found to have shown the signs of being played with.
Testimony from umpires and judges is that nothing untoward was seen. Further photographic evidence gives no evidence of anything other than fair play.
The new World Conker Champion was named as Kelci Banschbach from the USA who defeated the Men’s/ Open World Champion David Jakins in the Grand Final.
Kelci said: ‘I’ve never won anything like this before, and am amazed I have done this. I’ve not really played conkers before, and this is just a surprise!’
A spokesperson says the 82-year-old "has been cleared of suspicion, and his name is being engraved on the trophy."
Over 200 people took part with thousands of spectators in the village of Southwick near Oundle, in the grounds of the local pub, the Shuckburgh Arms.
It's been running since 1965 and raised over £420,000 for sight loss charities.