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Players should stroll by airport scanners to keep away from metallic conker cheat row

Conker players will be made to walk through airport-style scanners in a cheats crackdown after the steel conker row.

World Conker Championships chiefs will force competitors turn out their pockets and be scanned for solid objects. There are also plans to have video surveillance introduced for the first time at next year’s tournament.

Organisers fear there could be copycat attempts to use metal or hardened nuts. It comes after ‘King Conker’ David Jakins, 82, was cleared of using a steel chestnut found in his pocket to win the men’s world title on October 13.

READ MORE: Cheating scandal hits World Conker Championship as winner found with metal contraption

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St John Burkett, spokesperson for the World Conker Championships, which draws 250 players and 2,000 fans to Southwick, Northants, said: “After all the media focus on the metal conker, we are very concerned about cheats, YouTubers, practical jokers and magicians entering and trying to win next year’s tournament by illegal means.



conker championships cheating metal scanners
Scanners will pick up any metal contraptions which could be used to cheat (Stock)

“We will be holding an organising committee debrief, with plans for next year including searching competitors to check no-one has an alternative disguised conker with them.

“As we have sponsorship and a proper budget to organise the competition and ensure its integrity, we are considering an airport-style security arch to scan and pick up metal objects. Live video is also expected to be set up, which would monitor any potential foul play or conker tampering, and additionally provide a live stream to fans to watch online.”

King Conker Jakins aroused suspicions by winning his semi-final and final in one strike – almost unheard of in the game – in a surprise run to victory at the 46th attempt after competing annually since 1977.

He was then found with a dummy lookalike steel conker in his pocket, although probe cleared him and he told the Daily Star Sunday he carried the steel nut with him “as a joke.”



conker championships cheating metal scanners
David Jakins was accused of cheating when he won the game

Jakins insisted there was no fair play, and his win was completely valid. “I was found with the steel conker in my pocket but I only carry around with me for humour value.

“I did not use it during the event. Yes, I did help prepare the conkers before the event. But this isn’t cheating or a fix and I didn’t mark the strings. I just tried to hit hard and somehow I finally won.”

Several fans were shocked with Jakins’ actions, with one follower named David Glew, 78, from Nocton, Lincs, added: “The whole thing is nuts.”

The latest change came after tournament spokesman St John Burkett said complaints had been made and an investigation was underway.

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