World Conker Championships engulfed in cheating scandal after steel dummy found in winner’s pocket

The World Conker Championship has been embroiled in a cheating scandal after the winner of the tournament was discovered with a steel lure in his pocket.

Known as ‘King Conker’, David Jakins took the 2024 men’s competition title at the international event in Southwick, Northamptonshire this weekend.

However, the validity of his victory has been called into question after allegations of cheating emerged, accusing him of using a conqueror made of steel to “wipe out” his opponents.

After the competition, the retired engineer was found to have a steel dummy, modeled and painted to look like a real conqueror and strung with identical laces.

The 82-year-old, who was also responsible for drilling and stringing the conquerors from which the competitors choose at random, also faces accusations of marking the ropes to identify the strongest.

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

St John Burkett, a spokesman for the World Conker Championships, said he and other organizers became aware of the steel conker at 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 foul play is likely to be ruled out by the committee. “He showed it to us at the end. I think it’s almost a bit like a lucky charm, like a prized possession.”

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

He said: “There is no way he could have changed the conker with me and the chief judge by his side watching very carefully.

“Looks like it’s clear.”

All competitors must follow a strict set of rules to ensure the event is as fair as possible, which includes used lanyards and lanyards provided by the organizers and lanyards cannot be over-knotted or distorted.

The allegations emerged after the final in which Jakins beat his opponent in a single stroke. However, Burkett said his victory was likely due to his unique technique.

“He won with this fantastic hitting technique,” he said. “He broke the conker in the men’s final with a hit that was fantastic. It’s probably down to his technique and that’s what it looks like at the moment, but we just have to complete our investigations.”

More than 200 people entered the competition which took place this year at the Shuckburgh Arms in Southwick.

The event sees participants go head-to-head using conquerors strung on a rope in an attempt to crush their opponent’s nut. Each player makes three alternate hits to the opponent’s conker.

Also, there must be a minimum clearance of no less than 20cm between the gunnery and the nut for both “attacking” and “receiving” players.

Additional rules apply if a game lasts more than five minutes and foul play may also be penalized.

The main aim of the event since its inception in 1965 has been to raise money for charities supporting the visually impaired, with over £400,000 raised over the years.

The Independent has made efforts to contact Jakins.