Boy with Down Syndrome grows champion pumpkin

When it comes to this pumpkin, even a first-place prize may not be big enough to fully honor its magnitude. 

Benjamin Ben-Eliezer, known as Ben, spent his summer working hard with the goal of winning first place in the Royal Horticultural Society Show in London. The 14-year-old tended to it in the garden of his school in Nonington, Kent, U.K., alongside his teacher, Mario.

He first planted the pumpkin seed on May 1st in a tiny planter. After moving it outside under a special tent, the pumpkin started growing quickly. By August he says the pumpkin was “drinking 600 gallons of water a week.” 

When it was finally time for the show, it took a small crane to hoist the giant pumpkin out of its patch. 

“We were all worried it might be rotten or have a rat underneath,” Ben-Eliezer said in a YouTube video posted by his school.

But the pumpkin was in perfect condition. It weighed in at 1,248 pounds and definitely turned some heads on its way into town. 

“People could not believe their eyes,” he said. “Even the judges were surprised.” 

Even though he had been nervous going into the competition, Ben-Eliezer said that after seeing the other pumpkins, “we knew ours would be first.” 

And it was. They won first prize. 

“Now come on over for pumpkin pie and tackle football!” exclaimed Ben-Eliezer.