Conker World Championships embroiled in cheating scandal after steel conker was found in winner’s pocket

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The Conker World Championships have been embroiled in a cheating scandal after the winner of the tournament was discovered with a steel decoy in his pocket.

David Jakins, known as “King Conker”, secured the 2024 men’s title at the international event in Southwick, Northamptonshire this weekend.

However, the validity of his victory has been questioned after allegations of cheating surfaced, with him accused of using a steel conker to ‘obliterate’ his opponents.

After the competition, the retired engineer turned out to have a steel doll, shaped and painted to look like a real conker and strung on identical lace.

The 82-year-old, who was also responsible for drilling and threading the conkers from which competitors randomly choose, is also accused of marking the strings to identify the strongest.

Jakins, who has competed 46 times in the past, has denied all allegations.

St John Burkett, spokesman for the Conker World Championships, said he and other organizers became aware of the steel conker towards the end of the competition and that the committee had met to investigate the allegations.

“I have to say it looks exactly like a real conker,” he told Sky News, adding that the committee is likely to rule out foul play. “He showed us at the end. It almost looks like a good luck charm, a precious possession.”

He added that organizers had “managed to find some of the conkers David used to win matches, which he threw into the crowd”, and that he had personally supervised the men’s final.

He said: ‘There is absolutely no way he could have traded the conker with both me and the head judge standing there next to him watching very intently.

“Looks like he’s free.”

All participants must follow a strict set of rules to ensure the event is as fair as possible; the conkers and laces used must be supplied by the organizers and the laces must not be further knotted or deformed.

The accusations surfaced after the final in which Jakins defeated his opponent with just one hit. However, Mr Burkett said his victory was likely down to his unique technique.

“He won with this fantastic batting technique,” ​​he said. “He broke the conker in the men’s final with one goal, which was fantastic. It’s probably because of his technique and that’s what it looks like at the moment, but we just have to complete our investigation.”

This year more than 200 people took part in the competition at the Shuckburgh Arms in Southwick.

During the event, competitors will compete against each other using conkers strung on a string to try to smash their opponent’s nut. Each player takes three alternating strokes on the opponent’s conker.

In addition, there must be a minimum distance of not less than 8 inches of lace between the knuckle and the nut for both “striking” and “receiving” players.

If a match lasts longer than five minutes, further rules apply and penalties may also be given for foul play.

The main aim of the event since its inception in 1965 has been to raise money for charities that support the blind and partially sighted. Over the years, more than £400,000 has been raised.

The independent has made attempts to contact Mr. Jakins.