There is a very real chance they spent more time on this piece than other artists they were up against spent on theirs. I generate thousands of images a month
.... you've never actually made art, have you? The sort of stuff that you enter into contests takes months to make, from the actual painting to rough sketches to reference gathering, and that's just the basics
Clicking a button a thousand times isn't really comparable
Or just get a plant - they're pretty hardy things! Get a little baby bay tree for your balcony or doorstep! Just make sure you bring them in over winter if it gets below freezing regularly or it'll go into hibernation