Conker champion crowned in Annapolis Royal, N.S.

Dozens of people from across North America flocked to Annapolis Royal, N.S., Saturday for the 2025 North American Conker Championship.

Dozens of people from across North America flocked to Annapolis Royal, N.S., Saturday for a unique competition.

The 2025 North American Conker Championship was held at the Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens.

“Fierce (but friendly) competition was the order of the day as 36 contestants vied for the coveted Crofton Chalice,” read a news release from Annapolis Royal Historic Gardens.

According to the Annapolis Royal Conkers Club, the game is “new to many Nova Scotians, but an old tradition for anyone of British heritage” and has been making a comeback in the region in recent years.The game of conkers involves two competitors who each have a chestnut on a string. The objective of the game is to break the opponent’s “conker.”

“Sounds simple, but it is actually quite difficult and makes for great fun for participants and spectators alike,” reads a post on the club’s website.

The competition involves people of all ages – and with no experience. Organizers said people from near and far participated, including some from British Columbia and New Hampshire.

In the end, the competition came down to two Nova Scotians.

“Round after round, with smashed chestnuts littering the ground, the field eventually narrowed to a final match between Granville Beach’s own Wayne Currie and Cottage Cove resident Richard Huebner,” said Saturday’s news release.

Ultimately, Huebner was victorious and was crowned the 2025 North American Conker Champion.

The Annapolis Royal Conkers Club began hosting the annual championship in 2012.

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