The World Conker Championships has been hit by a ‘cheat’ scandal after the losing grand finalist was found with a steel dummy conker – having won bouts in one hit.
David Jakins, 82, won his quarter and semi-final in one strike – almost unheard of in the game – clinching the men’s title in surprise run to victory at the 46th attempt after competing annually since 1977.
He eventually lost in the grand final to first-time competitor Kelci Banschbach, 34, from Indianapolis in Indiana – who became the first American to clinch the title since it began in 1965.
But when retired engineer Jakins was searched after Sunday’s event in Southwick, Northamptonshire, and found to have a steel conker, shaped and painted to look real, and threaded on an identical lace, concealed in a pocket.
Amid further allegations of a ‘fix’, Jakins is also the tournament’s top judge – known as King Conker – who drilled and inserted strings in other competitors’ chestnuts.
Jakins denies cheating and claimed he carried around his steel conker for ‘humour value’, insisting he never used it during the contest. While tournament organisers have seemingly ruled out any foul play.
David Jakins won the men’s title at the World Conker Championships – but was later found to have had a steel conker in his pocket, sparking claims the tournament was a ‘fix’
Jakins – known as King Conker – denies cheating and claimed he carried around his steel conker for ‘humour value’, insisting he never used it during the contest
But opponents like Alistair Johnson-Ferguson, 23, from Canary Wharf, London – who was beaten by Jankins in the men’s contest – have since voice their concern. ‘My conker disintegrated in one hit, and that just doesn’t happen,’ he said.
‘Now it turns out King Conker had a dummy steel conker, so he could have swapped his real conker for that one. Or he could have marked the conker strings to pick out a harder nut.
‘I’m suspicious of foul play and have expressed my surprise to organisers.’
St John Burkett, spokesperson for the Conker World Championships, which drew 256 players and 2,000 fans, said: ‘Allegations of foul play have been received that somehow King Conker swapped his real conker for the metal one later found in his pocket.
‘Players select conkers from a sack before each round. There are also suggestions that King Conker had marked the strings of harder nuts. We can confirm he was involved in drilling and lacing the nuts before the event. We are investigating.’
Speaking to MailOnline, St John Burkett added players carrying steel conkers was not prohibited and insisted the drawing of chestnuts from a sealed bag was strictly policed by two officials.
‘Members of the committee have discussed the matter, particularly in light of Mr Jakins winning the men’s final and semi final with one hit and two hits, but have concluded that, as far as we can tell, play was fair, and the rules were followed,’ he added.
‘We are very firm on the rules and fair play, and also have a presiding senior ring judge. Richard Howard, who keeps an oversight on all players, no matter how well-known they are to him.’
Retired engineer Jakins was searched after Sunday’s event in Southwick, Northamptonshire, and found to have a steel conker, shaped and painted to look real
Pictured are two competitors at the World Conker Championships over the weekend
The championship sees competitors going head to head in a bid to smash one another’s conkers, which are both picked at random from a bag
But conkers fan David Glew, 78, from Lincoln, said: ‘As if it’s not suspicious enough for the event’s top judge to take part in his own tournament and win, he has also obliterated opponents’ nuts in one hit and then been found with a metal conker.
‘The question that has to be asked is – how has he won now, after never winning previously?
‘The whole thing is nuts. It stinks, and needs to be properly investigated to save our game from scandal.’
Jakins, from Warmington, Northants, is the tournament’s oldest ever winner, in what is expected to be his final year competing.
Jakins said: ‘I was found with the steel conker in my pocket, but I only carry around with me for humour value and I did not use it during the event.
‘Yes, I did help prepare the conkers before the tournament. 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.’
A total of 259 people from across the world competed at this year’s championships.
Kelci Banschbach, the tournament’s grand champion, only learned of the quintessential British sport a year ago, having moved to the UK in 2022.
Speaking after her victory, she said: ‘I’ve never won anything like this before, and I am amazed I have done this. I’ve not really played conkers before, and this is just a surprise.’
A total of 259 people from across the world competed at this year’s championships. Pictured is a conker competitor wearing a Yoda hat from Star Wars
Some 2,000 fans came out to watch the world championship in Northamptonshire (pictured is a competitor)
Another competitor is seen wearing a conker-themed hat during this year’s championship
Overseas competitors also took home the team title – as ‘The Skuumkoppers’ from the Netherlands won the trophy.
The annual championships are held in Southwich in Northamptonshire – outside the local pub The Shuckburgh Arms.
The championships’ chairman Jim Packer said: ‘This has been another wonderful day in which the sun shone and the crowds came out. Everyone seemed to have a lovely day and really enjoy themselves.
‘To have a winner from the USA and team champions from the Netherlands shows how truly international we are. King Conker becoming Men’s World Champion at the age of 82 is a great story.
‘We are also very grateful to our sponsors, Allica Bank and also Creek Lifestyle, who have enabled us to invest in new infrastructure and secure the tournament for future years.’
‘There were representatives of 10 countries taking part, and the 256 places in the adult competition were sold out well in advance. Around 100 juniors also played, and the attendance of 2,000 was also at its maximum.’