Tongan flag bearer

Tongan flag bearer Pita Taufatofua qualifies for Winter Olympics

Taufatofua lost 15kg as he adapted his body and learned a new sport, and is now able to compete in the Winter Olympics.

He made his name after finding recognition as the oiled flagbearer for Tonga at the Rio Olympics in 2016.

The 34-year-old crashed out in the first Round at Rio, but has spoken of his pride at being able to compete again:

"After Rio I decided to find the hardest sport possible because I needed a new challenge.

"You've got to put your body through something really challenging and the goal was to do it in one year - and we did it in one year!"

Tongan flagbearer has tough introduction to cross country skiing

Pita Taufatofua who competed in taekwondo in Rio gained plenty of international attention at the Rio opening ceremony, when he oiled himself up to carry the Tongan flag bare-chested into the stadium.

Now he's trying to qualify for the 2018 Winter Olympics.

He only took up cross country skiing a month ago and has competed at the word champs in Finland finishing 153rd in the 156 strong field.

His time in the 1.6km sprint freestyle qualification was 5 minutes 44 seconds more than two and a half minutes slower than the top qualifier.

 

Oily Tongan flag bearer will make his competitive Olympics debut Aug. 19

Taufatofua became the first breakout star of this year's Olympic games after appearing shirtless with a traditional tupenu wrap and a shark tooth necklace in honor of his island home during the Parade of Nations.

His appearance provided a huge roar in the stadium when he appeared on the stadium video camera and prompted a collective meltdown on Twitter after he appeared with little more than his traditional Tongan "ta'ovala," a huge amount of coconut oil, flip-flops and a wide smile.