Despite it being an international competition with entrants from as far as Japan, the World Conker Championships yesterday at Southwick near Oundle, saw winners with a local connection.
The men's winner was Simon Griffiths from Stamford:
"I was so nervous in the first round. I just wanted to win the first game and I was definitely a bit shaky, but, sort of, nerves went as the day went on, and the crowd seemed to get louder throughout.
Oh yeah, it's brilliant. I played the Japanese guy in the semi-final. I played a Jedi in the first round with a sheep in the quarter-final. I've met various different people"
The women's and overall winner, Frankie Hooper, who grew up locally:
"I'm feeling mainly confused. I'm not sure how this has happened, but I'm also very happy and excited to have won.
It's been an amazing day, so just hilarious. It feels pretty epic. Yeah, we got a squad of Londoners today, so I think they'll be quite pleased that I've done it for London. But also, obviously, I have quite a lot of connection to this area, so it's quite special to have done on home turf, I guess."
Watch: World Conker Championships 2026
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