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World Conker Championships: Annual event under way World Conker Championship crowns new king
(about 3 hours later)
The annual World Conker Championships has got underway with fans gathered from around the world. A new king has been crowned World Conker Champion after taking part in the annual games for the first time.
Organisers say 190 competitors from countries including Russia, USA and Japan are competing in the games in Southwick, Northamptonshire. Tom Dryden, from Earls Barton in Northamptonshire, described the news as "absolutely outstanding".
A US serviceman from RAF Lakenheath, Suffolk who has never played the game before, says he is "determined to win." Organisers said 190 competitors from countries including Russia, the USA and Japan took part in the games in Southwick, Northamptonshire.
Since it began in 1965, the event has raised about £400,000 for blind and visually impaired charities.Since it began in 1965, the event has raised about £400,000 for blind and visually impaired charities.
Tyler Knepper said: "I come from Ohio where we don't play conkers but I am determined to win. I've never played conkers before but I'm a quick learner". Lorna Clarke, 30, a digital marketing manager from Oxford took the the women's title. It's the second time she has entered the games.
Last year Steven Prescott and Amy Farrow were crowned King and Queen Conker. "Its amazing. The trick was skill, accuracy and a little bit of luck. My colleagues will laugh but will be very impressed," said Ms Clarke.
Mr Dryden, who is a Cub Scout assistant, said: "I never thought I'd win the first time I entered. The cubs will be over the moon."
A new conker is used for every round. StJohn Burkett said preparations had been tough this year because of a shortage of decent conkers.A new conker is used for every round. StJohn Burkett said preparations had been tough this year because of a shortage of decent conkers.
He said: "We collect a couple of thousand and we have to get the proper Championship-sized conkers. They're quite rare.He said: "We collect a couple of thousand and we have to get the proper Championship-sized conkers. They're quite rare.
"We usually rely on two secret trees but even they haven't produced this year so we've had the whole committee out collecting.""We usually rely on two secret trees but even they haven't produced this year so we've had the whole committee out collecting."
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