A cheating scandal has roiled Britain's competitive chestnut cracking world.
The World Conquer Championship announced Tuesday that authorities have launched an investigation after 82-year-old Dave Jakins was found with a steel chestnut in his pocket after winning the men's division.
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King Conquer David Jakins competes in the Annual World Conquer Championship to be held at the Shackborough Arms, Southwick, Peterborough, England on Sunday 13 October 2024. (via Jacob King/PA)
Let's go back a little bit. What is horse chestnut?
Conkers is a traditional children's game with roots in Great Britain and Ireland. Two players face off and try to crush each other's conker with their own. The name horse chestnut refers to the seeds screwed into the middle of the horse chestnut tree.
More than 200 gaming enthusiasts took part in the annual tournament in the village of Southwick in central England on Sunday.
Jakins won, but was accused of using a steel chestnut to defeat his opponent. Alastair Johnson-Ferguson raised doubts after losing to Jakins in the men's final. He claimed that the horse chestnut “disintegrated in one blow”, according to the Telegraph.
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Athletes taking part in the annual World Conquer Championship at the Shackborough Arms, Southwick, Peterborough, UK, Sunday 13th October 2024. (via Jacob King/PA)
A steel chestnut was found in Jakins' pocket, but organizers said it was unlikely he would commit any wrongdoing under the judge's watch.
St John Burkett, chairman of the organizing committee, told Sky News: “He was being watched very closely by four judges. There seemed to be no chance of cheating.” .
Mr Jakins denied the charges.
Competitor Neil Morvey wearing a conker-themed hat takes part in the annual World Conker Championships at the Shackborough Arms, Southwick, Peterborough, England on Sunday, October 13, 2024 do. (via Jacob King/PA)
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Kelsey Bunschbach of Indianapolis defeated Jakins to earn the title of World Conquer Champion. She became the first American to win the World Conquer Championship since its inception in 1965.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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