Conkers controversy: World tournament investigates claims of cheating with steel chestnut

LONDON (AP) — The World Conker Championships said Tuesday that it was investigating allegations of cheating after this year's men’s winner was found to have a steel chestnut in his pocket.

More than 200 enthusiasts of the traditional game entered the annual competition on Sunday in the small village of Southwick in central England. The game involves players using conkers — the glossy brown seeds from the horse chestnut tree — threaded onto a string to try and smash their opponent’s chestnut. Each player takes three alternate strikes.

Veteran player Dave Jakins, 82, won the men's tournament. But organizers said they launched an investigation after claims that he may have used a steel chestnut.

The allegations were raised by Alastair Johnson-Ferguson, who lost in the men’s final against Jakins after his conker “disintegrated in one hit," The Telegraph newspaper reported.

Organizers confirmed a steel conker was found in Jakins' pocket. Investigations were ongoing, but they said that it appeared unlikely that he was able to cheat under the scrutiny of judges. Jakins has denied the allegations.

“He was very closely watched by four judges. It looks like it was absolutely impossible for him to cheat,” St. John Burkett, chair of the event's organizing committee, told Sky News.

The title of World Conker Champion went this year to Kelci Banschbach, originally from Indianapolis. The 34-year-old was crowned “queen conker” after beating Jakins in the final. She was the first American to win the title since the World Conker Championships began in 1965.

The event has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds over the years for charities.

Chelsea pensioner John Riley takes part in the annual World Conker Championships at the Shuckburgh Arms in Southwick, Peterborough, England, Sunday Oct. 13, 2024. (Jacob King/PA via AP)

Competitors take part in the annual World Conker Championships at the Shuckburgh Arms in Southwick, Peterborough, England, Sunday Oct. 13, 2024. (Jacob King/PA via AP)

Competitor Neil Morbey wearing a conker themed hat takes part in the annual World Conker Championships at the Shuckburgh Arms in Southwick, Peterborough, England, Sunday Oct. 13, 2024. (Jacob King/PA via AP)

Competitors take part in the annual World Conker Championships at the Shuckburgh Arms in Southwick, Peterborough, England, Sunday Oct. 13, 2024. (Jacob King/PA via AP)

King Conker David Jakins takes part in the annual World Conker Championships at the Shuckburgh Arms in Southwick, Peterborough, England, Sunday Oct. 13, 2024. (Jacob King/PA via AP)

NEW YORK (AP) — Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Tori Amos is working on a children's book — her first — that she hopes will help young people follow their own paths of inspiration.

“Tori and the Muses” will be published March 4 by the Penguin Random House imprint Penguin Workshop. Illustrated by Demelsa Haughton, Amos' book tells of a girl blessed with the guidance of 11 secret muses who reveal to her a world rich in material for an emerging artist.

“In a time where children’s minds are dominated by small screens, I really wanted to offer up a different way for the reader to find inspiration and magic, that is all around each of us," Amos said in a statement. “For me the muses allowed me to escape the concrete boundaries that confined me and enabled me to find a place where I could create without fear of judgment. The muses are there for everyone should you ever wish to look and trust me here.”

Amos, 61, is known for such songs as “Spark,” “Professional Widow” and “A Sorta Fairytale.” Her previous books include “Piece by Piece” and “Resistance: A Songwriter’s Story of Hope, Change, and Courage.”

This cover image released by Penguin Young Readers shows "Tori and the Muses" by Tori Amos with illustrations by Demelsa Haughton. (Penguin Young Readers via AP)