American becomes world conker champ months after learning game existed
Two years ago, Kelci Banschbach didn’t even know what a conker was – but now she is the Queen Conker.
The 34-year-old American, from Indiana, has been crowned the overall winner of the World Conker Championship.
It’s the first time an American has ever won the famously British tournament, which has been running since 1965.
Kelci moved to the UK from Indianapolis two years ago, and learned about the tradition only last year while working in Suffolk.
Her interest piqued by the big horse chestnut trees she saw while walking, she decided to check out the world championship.
Despite not even intending to register, she decided to give it a go and has now scooped the top accolade in the field, beating 256 other competitors.
But she won’t be back to defend the title next year, as she is moving back to America.
Kelci defeated the Men’s Open World Champion David Jakins, also known as King Conker, at the 57th annual championships on Sunday.
David, from Northamptonshire, also had a big success as he won his first title as men’s champion at 82-years-old after years of competing at the event.
Kelci said: ‘I’ve never won anything like this before, and I am amazed I have done this. I’ve not really played conkers before, and this is just a surprise!’
Overseas competitors also took home the team title, as ‘The Skuumkoppers’ from the Netherlands won the trophy.
The annual championships are held in Southwich in Northamptonshire outside the local pub The Shuckburgh Arms.
The championships’ chairman Jim Packer said: ‘This has been another wonderful day in which the sun shone and the crowds came out. Everyone seemed to have a lovely day and really enjoy themselves.
‘To have a winner from the USA and team champions from the Netherlands shows how truly international we are. King Conker becoming Men’s World Champion at the age of 82 is a great story.
‘There were representatives of 10 countries taking part, and the 256 places in the adult competition were sold out well in advance. Around 100 juniors also played, and the attendance of 2,000 was also at its maximum.’
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