First-time player Frankie Hooper wins World Conker Championship in Northamptonshire
Frankie Hooper, a 28-year-old Londoner who said she had never played conkers before, won the World Conker Championship in Northamptonshire. She beat Simon Griffiths in the Grand Final and former champion Fee Aylmore in the women’s final, making her unexpected victory the event’s main story.
The 59th championship drew competitors from about ten countries, including Japan and Germany. All 256 adult places sold out well in advance; around 100 children also competed, and up to 2,000 people attended. Aylmore became the event’s ceremonial Queen Conker, succeeding her father, David Jakins, who was embroiled in an alleged cheating scandal two years ago but denied using a dummy steel conker.
- First-time player Frankie Hooper won the world title.
- She beat men’s champion Simon Griffiths in the Grand Final.
- The event attracted competitors from around ten countries.
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Conkers is a traditional British game played with horse chestnuts, each threaded on a string. Players take turns striking one another’s conker until one breaks; competitions bring together players who test their skill and the strength of their conkers.
The World Conker Championship is an annual event held in Northamptonshire, with adult and children’s contests and competitors from several countries. Its ceremonial Queen Conker role is separate from the competition, and has been held by members of the Aylmore family.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “The number one Conker is crowned! Woman, 28, wins world championship title after never having played a game before”.