{
  "id": 14143006,
  "title": "A giant pumpkin named Rocky gives a champion grower his California comeback",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/13/a-giant-pumpkin-named-rocky-gives-a-champion-grower-his-california",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-13T07:30:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Mainichi",
    "slug": "the-mainichi",
    "url": "https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20261013/p2g/00m/0in/022000c"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Half Moon Bay, California (AP) - A giant pumpkin known as Rocky emerged victorious from a prestigious annual weigh-off in Northern California, weighing in at 2,389 pounds (1,083 kilograms). Although this was far from a potential new world record set just days prior in Rhode Island, the impressive pumpkin secured $21,501 in prize money for its grower, Travis Gienger. Gienger, a horticulture teacher from Minnesota, successfully defended his fifth title after overcoming a setback last year when his pumpkin broke during growth. The resilient champion earned the name \"Rocky,\" inspired by the legendary boxer portrayed by Sylvester Stallone. Gienger's triumph was fueled by his relentless determination, as he drove 35 hours to transport the massive vegetable to California. Despite the record-breaking pumpkin grown by Ron Wallace in Rhode Island, weighing in at 3,156 pounds, Rocky's champion status was celebrated by hundreds of attendees at the 53rd World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off, which featured food trucks, music, and pumpkin-themed humor. Gienger's prize money was calculated at $9 per pound, and his record-breaking pumpkin will be displayed during a parade through Half Moon Bay.",
  "summary": "HALF MOON BAY, Calif. (AP) -- A pumpkin named Rocky won a major annual pumpkin-weighing contest in Northern California, tipping the scale at 2,389 pou",
  "key_points": [
    "Rocky pumpkin wins 2,389-pound title at California weigh-off",
    "Travis Gienger, Minnesota horticulture teacher, defends 5th title",
    "Gienger drives 35 hours to transport massive vegetable to event"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}