Conkers Controversy: World Championship investigates steel chestnut cheating allegations

Conkers Controversy: World Championship investigates steel chestnut cheating allegations

LONDON (AP) — The World Conker Championship said Tuesday it is investigating allegations of cheating after this year’s men’s winner was found to have a steel chestnut in his pocket.

More than 200 fans of the traditional game participated in the annual competition on Sunday in the small village of Southwick in central England. The game involves players using conkers – the shiny brown seeds from the horse chestnut tree – tied on a string to try to smash their opponent’s chestnuts. Each player takes three alternate strokes.

Veteran player Dave Jakins (82 years old) won the men’s championship. But organizers said they had launched an investigation after allegations he may have used steel chestnuts.

The Telegraph reported that these accusations were raised by Alastair Johnson-Ferguson, who lost in the men’s final to Jackins after his player “disintegrated in one fell swoop.”

Organizers confirmed that a steel conker was found in Jackins’ pocket. Investigations are still ongoing, but they said it was unlikely that he would have been able to cheat under the supervision of judges. Jakins denied the allegations.

“He was closely monitored by four judges. It seemed to be quite impossible for him to cheat,” St John Burkett, chairman of the event’s organizing committee, told Sky News.

This year’s World Conker Champion title went to Kelsey Bunchbach, originally from Indianapolis. The 34-year-old was crowned the “Queen of Conker” after defeating Jackens in the final. She was the first American to win the title since the World Conker Championships began in 1965.

The event has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds over the years for charities.

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