Verónica Espinoza, a 33-year-old woman with a belly of 56 centimeters, won first place in the “La madre panza” competition, which has been organized in Nicaragua for two decades for the Mother’s Day festivities, which are celebrated on May 30. .

The popular competition is run by ‘La Nueva Radio Ya’, a station affiliated with the Nicaraguan government. The presenter, Cristian Medina, explained that it is the twentieth edition and that “in 2022 Mother Panza was 57 centimeters”.

However, no one has yet managed to break the record of 63 centimeters, in the 2015 edition.

Verónica Espinoza celebrates winning first place in the competition. Photo: AFP

Espinoza, who is days away from giving birth, was convinced by her neighbors to take part in “La madre panza” this year and she couldn’t imagine winning the prize. Of the other participants, María Mudi took second place with 54 centimeters and Ángela Vargas third with 51 centimeters.

Participants in the competition “La madre panza”, in the city of Managua. Photo: AFP

The event judges measured the abdomen vertically with a tape measure.

Winners received refrigerators and stoves, cribs and baby products, as well as cash prizes between $140 and $60.

“I had nothing, I didn’t buy anything, because of the neglect itself, but now, thank God, we have,” Espinoza said, referring to the award.

Other categories of the competition include the most dancing mother and the best singer.