The big news of the La Paloma Open classic that concluded a month ago was not only the victory of Lele Usuna and his subsequent third Argentine championship, but also the fact that a 15-year-old teenager named Franco Radziunas was the runner-up.

In a tournament full of quality surfers (Maxi Siri, Martín Passeri, Lucas Santamaría, Mariano Arreyes, Juanchi Arca, Marcelo Rodríguez and a long etcetera) the runner-up turned out to be the young regular footer.

Franco, watch the video, combined a good competitive strategy with the surfing of a big man, making good turns, surfing from bottom to lip on a wave that demands it, and so he went through series after series.

In the final he met Usuna who, after winning, pointed out that the big winner was not him but Franco.

This is what DUKE talked to him about:

A few days ago you made history by becoming the youngest surfer in history to make it to the final at the La Paloma event. How do you feel about the result?
I am very happy with my performance at the Quiksilver La Paloma Open. I finished second against very experienced surfers on such a significant wave for Mar del Plata. I am the youngest in history to reach the final at this event.

What do you think happened in those days for you to get that result? What did you do well?
Having always believed in myself was what gave me the confidence to advance from heat to heat until I reached the final. In addition, I followed the same strategy from the first round that worked for me throughout the event.

You are trained by Martín Passeri, who is a legend, it must be difficult to beat him, to beat the teacher, right?
Yes, in round 3 I had to compete against Tincho, for the third time in championships, and this time I had to beat him. I knew it wasn't going to be easy because he has a lot of competitive experience and he surfs very well, so when I got to the point where there were only a few minutes left I had to mark him to keep my position. I felt a bit strange because he is my coach.

What do you think are your strengths and weaknesses today?
I think my strength is the strength I put into surfing, I like to take risks in maneuvers, which can lead to me not always completing them. My weakness is that I like to surf strong and tubular waves, and the reality is that you also have to surf bad waves, so I'm working on that.

How do you manage to combine surfing with your studies?
Once I get out of school, I go surfing or training and find some free time after that for school work.

Your father is an old-school surfer, what do you know about him? How does he help you?
Yes, my dad really helps me in every way. As he is a surfer, he understands me and likes the same things as me. Just like my mom, they take me to training every day and always support me. Being a surfer, I love spending time in the water with him doing what we like the most.

What do you want to see in your future? CT or a traditional career? Why?
If it were so easy to choose between a traditional race or the CT, I would definitely choose the CT, but I know it is difficult and I will do my best to get there; that would mean working as a surfer, which is my passion.

Share five key facts about yourself.
I like doing physical activity, also spending time with friends, I love traveling and getting to know new cultures and waves, and I love animals.

What are you going to do for the rest of this year?
I will continue training very hard to improve my performance and be called up for the Argentine junior team that will participate in the world surfing championship. In addition, I plan to travel to surf new waves and continue improving.