Francesco de la Cruz, the Peruvian World Balloon Champion: “I hadn’t played it since I was little until the competition” | INTERVIEW

The agility he showed on stage to win the World of Balloons It is far from the eloquence he has to tell what he experienced last Thursday in Port Aventura. A Peruvian man Francesco de la Cruz won the contest that I believe Ibai Llanos next to Gerard Piqué, and in a short call he answered us from Barcelona.

Francesco was born in Huaral, but in 2008 his parents took him to Spain, where they had already managed to establish themselves. Today he is 18 years old and studies computer science. Winning the World of Balloons It can turn your life upside down, but you prefer to handle it with caution.

“How did you find out about the event?”

The truth is, I saw the ad for YouTube a normal day and I decided to sign up and they accepted me. They asked to be of legal age, to prove nationality, with ID or passport, and by sending a video with your sports skills or playing balloon.

“What did you send?”

I sent a video showing my sports skills, exercising and I was chosen.

—And about nationality, were you born in Peru?

I was born in Peru, but when I was 4 or 5 years old, I came to Spain. I lived in Huaral. My parents decided to emigrate in search of a better future and then they brought me like my sister and now we live in Barcelona.

—You commented that you are studying …

Me computer science, networks and operating systems studys. I am in the second year on average of the training cycles. It is like a technical career because then you can do an internship in companies.

“And did you miss some classes?”

Classes go by hours. So there are hours that I have yet to complete. I have to recover. I have talked with my tutor, the work I have to do and with that complete.

“What prompted you to sign up?”

In my spare time I usually watch videos on YouTube, Twitch for entertainment. And the videos of Ibai, whom I have followed for quite some time. It came out that I was going to do the World Cup, and that’s when I decided to sign up.

“Do you play with balloons?”

—But from the first game they already said you were a favorite

In the first game I was quite comfortable, but I didn’t want to underestimate the others. If everyone is there, it is for something. I didn’t feel like a favorite. I did hear the mentions, but the others were moving forward for something.

—And the physical part, how do you work on it?

I am currently in my first year of volleyball. I used to play soccer and there it is pure resistance. You train a lot that. He played offensive midfielder and now I practice volleyball, but I don’t have a defined position because I’m just starting training with my club, L’Hospitalet.

“How did you take the event?” Did it intimidate you that it is so seen?

Ibai It implied that it was going to be a big event. I was not quite surprised because they were Ibai, Gerard Piqué And with all the brands, I knew it was going to be big.

“Didn’t you get nervous in the presence of characters like Piqué, Shakira?”

It could be, but in my case there was no room for that, because it would make me nervous. I was focusing on the game. The presence of Pique, from Shakira, I took it as spectators and nothing more.

—The moment of the National Anthem, it was very special, I imagine

Well, on a family level, a pride. Nationally, a great achievement.

“How much is your identification with Peru?”

Anyway, I never rule out going back Peru, end my life there. The things made in Spain are not yet. I may go to work at Peru. It is something that I do not know, I prefer to continue living and see what happens. I have family there, my grandparents, uncles, cousins.

“The day after, how did you spend it?”

Let’s say my class knew I was competing. During the event I would pick up the phone in the players room and see that they cheered me on. When I got to class today, everyone applauded me and I was very grateful. Grateful with my class, with my friends, with the people of Peru.

—The president of Peru congratulated you…

I saw it in Twitter. I saw what he put Ibai that he was surprised by the president’s congratulations. I did not give it much importance. It doesn’t seem like a good gesture to me, it’s fine, but with all the problems it has, well …

“You can say you’re famous now.” What do you think is next for you?

Well the truth, I don’t know. Everything is a dream scenario and I have a hard time assimilating it. Anyway, Ibai Llanos He announced it everywhere and other famous influencers have greeted me. For the moment, I am going to continue with my normal life and wait for the following year, which according to what I have been told I have to go to defend my title.

—You are going to have to be in one or another activity

I have no answer to this, but if you want to invite me I could go, I would be delighted. It is an invitation and I would have to leave the name of the country up. If I don’t go, they can take it as a bad gesture, that I don’t want to participate. My intention is that being World Balloon Champion or not, I’m still the same person.