In the championship, which takes place in the British village of Southwick every October, the competitors are to smash their opponent's horse chestnut, hanging from a thread, using their own horse chestnut.
On Tuesday, the championship leadership surprisingly announced that they are investigating cheating allegations against the winner of the men's tournament, 82-year-old Dave Jakins. His opponents accuse him of using a steel horse chestnut, which allegedly caused the opponent's horse chestnut to "dissolve in a single blow".
Jakins denies the allegations and claims that he was closely monitored by four judges throughout the entire men's final. However, the organizers confirm that a steel horse chestnut was found in Jakins' pocket.
In the final, where the winner of the men's tournament meets the winner of the women's tournament, Dave Jakins was defeated by Kelci Banschbach. "Queen of the Horse Chestnut" became the first American ever to win the championship since its start in 1965.
