There was a record turnout of 20 at the Copenhagen Conker Championships on Sunday October 11 at Charlie’s Pub on Pilestræde.
The final was an all-English affair – which is hardly surprising given the tradition, which involves putting horse chestnuts on strings to take it in turns to smash each other’s, originated in Britain in the early 19th century.
Adam Wilkinson (centre: left) saw off Tim Jones (right) to win the championship with what organisers called a 3er, which means his conker smashed three others to take the prize. However, in other British regions, it would be a 7er due to different rules.
Wilkinson was then presented with the cup (centre) by Liam Duffy (right), an Irish barman at Charlie’s, and organiser Jon Nunn (left).
“We consider ourselves true sportsmen/women in the gentlemen’s game of conkers,” Nunn told the Weekly Post.
“We have come a long way since our first event where it was just the founder … on his own … in the rain, but I’m sure the first Olympics was just two Greek guys in a field wrestling and look where it is today.”
all photos (c) Max Mawby
