King Conker keeps the crown: World conker champion cleared of cheating

An investigation had been launched into whether “King Conker” cheated during the annual World Conker Championships by using a steel chestnut. He’s now been cleared.

First there was a chess grandmaster cleared of using anal beads to cheat.

Now, last week’s winner of the World Conker Championships – veteran player David Jakins – will retain his title after being cleared of any wrongdoing over claims that he used a metal conker during his fights.

Jakins, 82, also known as ‘King Conker’, has competed in the contest since 1977 and finally won the title that had eluded him on 13 October.

His opponent, 23-year-old Alastair Johnson-Ferguson, alleged “foul play” because his conker “disintegrated in one hit” and that “just doesn’t happen”. He told The Daily Telegraph that he suspected King Conker had used a dummy steel chestnut.

Jakins did reveal that he had steel conker in his pocket, but that he only carried it around “for humour value” and “did not use it during the event”.

The World Conker Championships launched an investigation regarding these cheating allegations. Organisers “studied photos and videos of matches, interviewed judges and examined the chestnuts used by King Conker”.

A spokesperson for the World Conker Championships told The Guardian: “The investigation found no evidence that the steel conker was used. King Conker has been cleared of suspicion, and his name is being engraved on the trophy.”

Event chairman Jim Packer rubbished the allegations, telling the BBC: “Somebody’s a sore loser, I think.”

Jakins spoke of his relief at the outcome after a “stressful week”, telling the Daily Star: “We are gentlemen at the World Conker Championships and we don’t cheat. I’ve been playing and practising for decades. That’s how I won.”

“I admit I had the steel conker in my pocket, but I didn’t play with it. I show it to people as a joke, but I won’t be bringing it again.”

Jakins won the men’s competition but lost in the overall final to women’s champion Kelci Banschbach, originally from the US.

The first recorded conker game was on the Isle of Wight in 1848 and the World Conker Championships were set up in 1965. Organisers say they have raised £420,000 (€504,000) for charity.

Additional sources • Daily Telegraph, Guardian