His colossal 1,152kg gourd, which weighs about as much as a 2007 Honda Civic, journeyed all the way to Ludwigsburg, Germany, for the contest and took first place.

Vangeel took first in the Belgium Pumpkin Championship in 2019, and second place in the European back in 2021. This year, as he strapped down the pumpkin, he thought he stood a chance.