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First American wins World Conker Championships

Kelci Banschbach Kelci Banschbach has long light hair and is holding a glass trophy with a conker shape inside it. She also has a crown with conkers stuck to it. She is smiling as people applaud around her.Kelci Banschbach
Kelci Banschbach, from Indianapolis, taught herself conkers in an effort to "immerse in the local culture"

A woman who only discovered the game of conkers a year ago has become the first American to be crowned world champion.

Kelci Banschbach, originally from Indianapolis, Indiana, was overall winner of the World Conker Championships, held in Southwick, Northamptonshire.

The 34-year-old - the first American to clinch the title since the competition started in 1965 - received a trophy, a tea towel and a coaster.

She said: "[My parents] were a little confused when I had to explain what I was doing, but they're so proud none-the-less."

World Conker Championships Two people are sat on thrones decorated with conkers. On the left is Kelci Banschbach, she has long light brown hair and is wearing a long dark olive winter coat. She has a crown on her head decorated with conkers. Next to her is an older man in a green and yellow cloak, he also has a conker themed crown and throne. Both smile with their trophies.World Conker Championships
Kelci Banschbach, the women's champion, defeated King Conker, the men's champion, to become the first overall winner from America

Ms Banschbach moved to Suffolk two years ago for her work, and discovered conkers last year.

She said: "There are quite a few trees in the Mildenhall area, where I'm residing.

"I had googled what the name of these nuts were, because they're everywhere on the sidewalks."

After playing the game with colleagues, she discovered the annual world championships were held "in a lovely little village" - and she decided to go along.

World Conker Championships On the left, a woman dressed as an air hostess prepares to play conkers with Kelci, who is wearing a wool hat, and is standing on the right and dangling her conker on a string at shoulder height. A crowd of spectators is gathered around them.World Conker Championships
The American said: "I don't recall seeing any trees that drop nuts like that [in Indianapolis]"

The new champion added: "I didn't intend to register as a competitor, [a friend] ended up competing - so I ended up putting my name in there as well.

"It's very nerve-wracking, everyone is watching you. It's quite a large crowd if I'm honest.

"I was hearing heckling from some people, so I wanted to prove them wrong."

Bethany Gwilliam/BBC A man with a grey beard dressed in a gold crown and silver shirt holding a shield. He is William the ConkererBethany Gwilliam/BBC
Many spectators and competitors dress up for the competition. Ms Banschbach said she was sad she "did not get the memo"

The World Conker Championships first took place in Ashton, Northamptonshire, in 1965, but moved to a larger venue in 2009 because of the growing number of players and spectators.

It has raised £420,000 for charities that support the visually impaired.

Bethany Gwilliam/BBC A view of the event. Stalls arer set up in a green common. There is a giant conker surrounded by plants with a sign coming from the top of it. The sign has directions for the village hall, pub and toilets.Bethany Gwilliam/BBC
The 34-year-old said she will not be defending her crown next year - because she is moving back to America

After becoming the female champion, she was crowned "Queen Conker", and had to defeat "King Conker" to become overall champion.

A statement from the championships said: "Congratulations to all the competitors, both in the adult and junior events.

"Our overall champion, Kelci Banschbach, is our first American Queen Conker and David Jakins, previous finalist and long-standing committee member, very much deserves his King Conker title."

Listen: Tennis skills for the conker championship win

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