11 Photos of Tonga's Shredded Shirtless Flag Bearer from the Olympics Opening Ceremony
The world is getting back to a new normal in the almost-aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Case in point: The previously postponed 2020 Tokyo Olympics just kicked off to much fanfare—and controversy.
But whether you think having the Olympic Games is a good idea or not, one thing is for sure: We all deserve Tonga's shirtless flag bearer after a rough year and a half.
Tongan athlete and flag bearer Pita Taufatofua emerged as a viral Olympics staple back in 2016. The now 37-year-old taekwondo practitioner and skier first gained attention for carrying the Tongan flag at the 2016 Summer Opening Ceremony wearing only a ta'ovala, a Tongan mat worn as a skirt for formal occasions. His shirtless, muscular, and copiously-oiled body soon went viral for obvious (slightly horny) reasons, leading Taufatofua to be somewhat of an Olympics legend.
“It was the first time I heard about what a manager is, what a publicist is, what an agent is. It was just me and my coach trying to manage all this. Two people who didn’t know anything. No one had ever heard of Tonga. We were like, how is this even possible?” Taufatofua told The Guardian in 2019.
Taufatofua competed in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in taekwondo, and the 2018 Winter Olympic Games in skiing. Now our boy is back, competing in taekwondo again for the 2020 Games. And, yes, he's still shirtless and greased in coconut oil.
Check out Taufatofua shredded physique in these 11 photos from the Summer Olympics Opening Ceremony. You're welcome
You Might Also Like
