World Conker Championships men's winner cleared of cheating
World Conker Championships men's winner cleared of cheating
David Jakins, 82, known as "King Conker", said he kept a steel chestnut in his pocket for "humour value".
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David Jakins, 82, known as "King Conker", won the tournament in Southwick, Northamptonshire, last Sunday for the first time after competing since 1977.
But his long-awaited victory was marred when a cheating scandal erupted after a fake steel conker, painted brown, was later found in the veteran competitor's pocket.
His opponent in the final Alastair Johnson-Ferguson told The Daily Telegraph he raised concerns after his conker "disintegrated in one hit, and that just doesn't happen".
The chairman of the organising committee said the steel conker was indistinguishable from a real one, with its weight the only giveaway.
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"The investigation has 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."
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Mr Jakins won the men's competition but lost in the overall final to women's champion Kelci Banschbach, originally from the United States, who only took up the game last year when she moved to Suffolk.
The championships have been held since 1965 and organisers say they have raised £420,000 for charity.
