Tonino Benson of Kailua, Kona, placed second in the men's division of the Billabong World Junior Championships today.

The final day of the prestigious contest was run today (Australia time) in 4- to 6-foot waves at North Narrabeen, Australia.

Benson won three heats earlier in the day, but lost to Brazil's Pablo Paulino in the one-on-one final.

Paulino received a score of 8.5 (out of 10) for his first wave in the 30-minute final, and never relinquished the lead after that. The final tally had Paulino's top two waves at 15.0 to Benson's 9.93.

Paulino, 21, is the second surfer to win the World Junior Championships twice. He also won it three years ago. Australia's Joel Parkinson also won it twice.

The contest is considered the world championship for surfers age 20 and younger, professional or amateur. Paulino turned 21 after the registration deadline.

Benson, 18, was the standout of the morning heats, and scored the only perfect 10 of the contest for a long barrel ride during his fourth-round victory. He also dominated his quarterfinal and semifinal heats before falling short in the final.

"I'm happy for Pablo, he's my friend and he deserved the win," Benson said. "I got out of rhythm in the final and everything seemed to be going his way."

Paulino received $6,500 for the victory. Benson received $3,400. He was the only Hawai'i surfer remaining for the final day of competition.

The only Hawai'i surfers to win the Junior World Championships are Andy Irons (1998) and Kekoa Bacalso (2005). Benson joins Dustin Cuizon (2004) as runners-up from Hawai'i.

The women's division completed its second round yesterday. Hawai'i surfers Coco Ho, Leila Hurst and Alessa Quizon all advanced to the third round.