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World conker champion found with steel chestnut, cleared of cheating

Metal replica conker found in pocket of David Jakins AKA King Conker, first-time winner after competing since 1977

The World Conker Championships is investigating cheating allegations after the men’s winner was found to have a steel chestnut in his pocket. Jakins was responsible for drilling and inserting strings into other competitors’ chestnuts as the competition’s top judge, known as the “King Conker”. The 23-year-old said: “My conker disintegrated in one hit, and that just doesn’t happen … I’m suspicious of foul play and have expressed my surprise to organisers.”

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