An enormous pumpkin nicknamed 鈥淢ama鈥� grown in a Richmond, B.C., backyard has won first place in one of North America鈥檚 most prestigious pumpkin weigh-offs, tipping the scales at more than a tonne.

Grower Dave Chan, 78, says 鈥渁 lot of good science鈥� went into his victory on Saturday in the National Pumpkin Weigh Off in Wheatland, Calif., where Mama weighed in at 1,003 kilograms, or 2,212 pounds.

The retired dentist says he and his wife Janet Love analyzed soil samples throughout summer to ensure the pumpkin was receiving the right nutrients.

They loaded Mama and another giant pumpkin onto a trailer and drove more than 1,300 kilometres to attend the weigh-in, which organizers say has been held since 1921.

Chan, who鈥檚 been growing giant pumpkins for more than 40 years, won $28,000 鈥� that鈥檚 US$9 per pound 鈥� as well as a flashy championship belt, worthy of a heavyweight champion.

He says he and his wife will use the money for a trip to Italy, where they plan to meet the grower of the world鈥檚 heaviest pumpkin, which weighed in at 1,226 kilograms in 2021.

Chan says they鈥檒l continue their U.S. road trip with 鈥淢ama鈥� and her smaller trailer mate, which weighs about 725 kilograms, and will take part in another competition this month at Half Moon Bay, south of San Francisco.

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