David Jakins, known as 'King Conker', was accused by his opponent. /Phil Noble/Reuters
The man known as "King Conker" has been cleared of using a steel horse chestnut in the Conkers World Championship final.
David Jakins, 82, smashed his opponent's nut in one stroke, clinching the men's title on his 46th attempt. But his opponent, 23-year-old Alistair Johnson-Ferguson, claimed there had been "foul play".
In fact, he suggested the winner could have been using a metal dupe, painted to look like a real horse chestnut, to secure victory.
The annual tournament was held in the UK this year in Southwick, a town in Northamptonshire.
Jakins denied using the metal replica in the tournament and said he only carried it around with him "for humor value", according to the UK newspaper Telegraph.
But Jakins was found to be not guilty by an investigation and Johnson-Ferguson now says he invented the cheating allegation and there was "no way" the tournament was rigged against him.
The event took place this year outside a pub in Southwick, Northamptonshire. /Phil Noble/Reuters
He told MailOnline: "I am trying to put this thing a bit behind me now. It was completely fair. Just don't call me a sore loser."
Umpires for the World Conker Championships are now set to check if participants' conkers are real before and after every battle at the event, which took place this year outside a pub in Southwick.
More than 200 people took part in the tournament, which raises money for charity and was attended by about 2,000 spectators.
Competitors often wear elaborate headwear. This year, one man wore a green inflatable Yoda headpiece, while another wore a conker-themed hat.
Jakins lost to the women's champion in the overall final.
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