She came, she saw, she conquered, British woman claims conker crown
A competitor awaits his match during the World Conker Championships in Southwick, Britain, October 14, 2018. REUTERS/Darren Staples
LONDON (Reuters) - Standing in a rain soaked English village, more than 200 competitors armed with horse chestnuts dangling from shoelaces faced off for the World Conker Championship.
The quintessential British school playground pastime involves competitors taking it in turns to launch their conkers in a bid to break those of their opponents. Victory can also be claimed if you force your opponent's shoelace to become knotted three times.
"Being steady of hand, steady of mind and able to withstand the cold and the wet is also very important," said competitor Mina Arsanious, who was joined in the international field by rivals from Australia and the United States.
A woman plays her first round match of the World Conker Championships in Southwick, Britain, October 14, 2018. REUTERS/Darren Staples
Competitors were not allowed to bring their own conkers from home, therefore ruling out age-old sneaky hardening tactics such as soaking them in vinegar, leaving them in the dark for a year or putting them in the oven.
Despite her training restricted to just 20 minutes on the eve of the event, Karen Holloway, 32, from the English city of Derby was declared the overall champion.
Chelsea Pensioner, and 2017 champion, John Riley plays during the World Conker Championships in Southwick, Britain, October 14, 2018. REUTERS/Darren Staples
(Writing by Patrick Johnston; Editing by Peter Graff)
Chelsea Pensioner, and 2017 champion, John Riley reacts during the World Conker Championships in Southwick, Britain, October 14, 2018. REUTERS/Darren StaplesA damaged conker is seen during a first round match of the World Conker Championships in Southwick, Britain, October 14, 2018. REUTERS/Darren StaplesA player celebrates his first round victory during the World Conker Championships in Southwick, Britain, October 14, 2018. REUTERS/Darren StaplesSpectators react during a first round match of the World Conker Championships in Southwick, Britain, October 14, 2018. REUTERS/Darren StaplesChelsea Pensioner, and 2017 champion, John Riley (L) plays his first round match during the World Conker Championships in Southwick, Britain October 14, 2018. REUTERS/Darren StaplesKing Conker David Jakins attends the World Conker Championships in Southwick, Britain, October 14, 2018. REUTERS/Darren StaplesKing Conker David Jakins attends the World Conker Championships in Southwick, Britain, October 14, 2018. REUTERS/Darren StaplesKing Conker David Jakins holds his walking stick during the World Conker Championships in Southwick, Britain, October 14, 2018. REUTERS/Darren StaplesA man hangs a conker decoration from a tree during the World Conker Championships in Southwick, Britain, October 14, 2018. REUTERS/Darren Staples
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