David Jakins, known as King Conker, has been cleared of any wrongdoing after he was found with a steel nut in his pocket during the World Conker Championships. The 82-year-old retired engineer won the annual title in Southwick, Northamptonshire, on 13 October for the first time after competing since 1977.
Organisers launched an investigation after the runner-up raised suspicions about the way Jakins's conker shattered on impact during the final. A search of Jakins's pockets revealed a metal replica conker, but the organisers have now concluded there is no evidence the steel nut was used in the competition.
Jakins told the Daily Star: 'I’m so relieved to be cleared. It’s been a stressful week. 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.'
A spokesperson for the World Conker Championships said: 'We have studied photos and videos of matches, interviewed judges and examined the chestnuts used by King Conker. 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.'
St John Burkett, a spokesperson for the championships, explained that the 3,500 conkers used were collected two to three days beforehand and blind-picked from a bag by competitors to prevent tampering. He noted that swapping conkers would require 'very good sleight of hand' given the presence of 14 judges, a chief umpire, and 2,000 spectators.
The World Conker Championships, which drew 256 players and 2,000 fans, maintains strict rules including a minimum 8-inch shoelace length and alternating strikes. Burkett emphasised that winners typically display 'excellent hand-eye coordination, strategy and skill', and noted that large conkers are not necessarily advantageous as they provide a larger target.
