Yan Chenglong, 48, won the 2023 National Chinese Chess King Competition in Lingshui, China last month, but subsequently had his title and prize money revoked for alleged inappropriate behaviour.

According to the BBC, the Chinese Xianggi Association (CXA) said his conduct “damaged hotel property and violated public order and good morals”.

However, Mr Yan has since sought to clarify that he had not drunkenly vandalised his hotel bathroom but had in fact suffered stomach problems after drinking a modest amount of alcohol and was forced to desecrate the tub.

He also condemned social media claims that he had cheated in the competition using remote-controlled anal beads – a charge that the competition organisers publicly said was “impossible to prove”.

A civil case filed in Yuzhou seeks a public apology from the CXA and compensation of 100,000 yuan (around €12,900 or £11,000), Shanghai Daily reports.