The Olympics Opening Ceremony is always an exciting event. It’s an athlete’s introduction to the Olympic Games ,and it honestly seems like something that never gets old, especially when surrounded by so much talent from around the world. One such talent is Pita Taufatofua from Tonga. This Olympian has become the focus of many fans for his taekwondo, skiing, and canoeing skills. He’s also a UNICEF ambassador and an engineer with a winning smile to make you swoon.
Oh yeah, people also love him because he bears the Tongan flag while shirtless—and oiled up, too. Can’t forget that. This love has transformed into viewers tuning in just to catch a glimpse at this Tongan god each Olympics. It’s also led people like me, who didn’t know much about Tonga or its people, to explore a culture different from ours. So, thank you, Pita Taufatofua, for helping me educate myself through your hard and shirtless work.
In sending Pita Taufatofua love, we must remember that there was someone else out there helping him. Malia Paseka, an Olympian in her own right, shared the weight of the Tongan flag. She is leading the charge when it comes to more women in sports in Tonga, and she’s Tonga’s first female taekwondo Olympian. Also, she looks just as fierce as Pita, from her headpiece to her dress. And I can’t wait for Malia and Pita to kill it at this year’s Olympics.
Until then, here are some of our favorite tweets about Pita Taufatofua and his return:
***BREAKING*** TONGA HAS WON THE OLYMPICS. We can all go home now. #Olympics pic.twitter.com/6yngzDkDrl
— 🥕BeardedDonkey🥕 (@BeardeddonkeyTv) July 23, 2021
THE TONGA LAD IS BACK. #Tokyo2020 #OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/Idmw1BIwBu
— H.R.Owens (@heatherowens33) July 23, 2021
Uh oh! Tonga flag bearer now has some compeition. Here’s the flag bearer for Vanuatu! #Tokyo2020 #Olympics #OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/E4hiIm8zPe
— Kris Pangilinan (@KrisReports) July 23, 2021
Me when the shirtless Tonga flagbearer shows up pic.twitter.com/FifLVNyFrs
— Logan (@Logan_McQ) July 23, 2021
The Flag Bearer from Tonga still has not bought a shirt. #Tokyo2020 #Olympics #OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/vmN5erjZ2H
— Kris Pangilinan (@KrisReports) July 23, 2021
Vanuatu trying to come for Tonga’s wig…#Olympics #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/xCI7EEvHlM
— YortJansen (@yortjansen) July 23, 2021
Finally the moment we’ve all been waiting for. Tonga man #OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/ApIkaawZmc
— Sibsie (@Sibsie) July 23, 2021
Tonga guy is back😍😍 #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/E05gECxRJH
— anna 💁🏼♀️ (@missyyyannaa) July 23, 2021
I suddenly want to move to Tonga #OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/nUvp35nJuv
— Mona (@Mona_TZK) July 23, 2021
It’s not an Olympics opening ceremony without an oiled-up man from Tonga! #Olympics #tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/8cb8xh2QLh
— MrJDS (@mrjdsworld) July 23, 2021
thank you, flag-bearer from Tonga, for making watching the #OpeningCeremony worth it pic.twitter.com/G7gsBA6Th3
— beth⁷ 🧈💃🏻✨ (@quean_bee) July 23, 2021
*Tonga goes viral at #Olympics*
Vanuatu: “hold my flag…” pic.twitter.com/wctfqd7WkZ
— Mr Adam R (@MrAdamR) July 23, 2021
Yes we will be supporting Tonga at the Olympics this year, no further questions please. pic.twitter.com/IBEI1NjrRP
— ανδρέας 👨🏻🎨 (@MrDrewy) July 23, 2021
Vanuatu v Tonga in the intense shirtless oiled flag bearer competition #OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/roE5m0m7Z8
— owain (@_owaindavies) July 23, 2021
Thank you Pita Taufatofua
Thank you Tonga
Thank you #Olympics
Thank you #OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/H9ZYyF9Bhm— Mr Adam R (@MrAdamR) July 23, 2021
(image: Hannah McKay – Pool/Getty)
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