A giant pumpkin grown in Rhode Island has tipped the scales at over 1.4 tons, putting it on track to be officially recognized by the Guinness World Records.

According to the Associated Press on the 12th (local time), Ron Wallace, a resident of Greene, Rhode Island, entered his massive pumpkin into a New England pumpkin-weighing competition on the 10th.

The pumpkin weighed an astounding 1,432 kilograms (approx. 3,157 pounds), surpassing the previous world record of 1,296 kilograms by about 136 kilograms. That previous record had been set just days prior at a competition in the UK on the 3rd.

In a phone interview with the AP, Wallace said, "It was truly an incredible size, and the growing process was a lot of fun," adding, "We are currently in contact with Guinness officials to go through the verification process for the world record."

Wallace previously ran an online gardening supply business before taking up pumpkin cultivation as a hobby. He received a prize of $3,500 (approx. 4.67 million won) for winning the competition.

Before this event, organizers of another competition had reportedly offered a massive prize of up to $70,000 (approx. 93.5 million won) to entice Wallace to enter. However, he chose the New England contest instead, believing it was important to achieve his historic victory surrounded by his hometown community.

Sharing his secret to growing the colossal pumpkin, Wallace noted, "I owe a huge debt to the pumpkin-growing community, which always freely shares tips and tricks on how to grow the biggest pumpkins. This year was my first time starting to grow in a greenhouse, and that greenhouse growing makes a huge difference."

Meanwhile, at a pumpkin competition held in California on the same day, a pumpkin grown by Minnesota horticulture teacher Travis Gienger won the title with a weight of 1,083 kilograms. The California competition has been held annually for 60 years.

Gienger, securing his fifth career victory, took home a prize of $21,501 (approx. 28.7 million won).

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]