The postponed 2020 Tokyo Olympics finally got underway on Friday with the opening ceremonies. During the Parade of Nations, Tonga's Pita Taufatofua was the center of attention yet again.
Taufatofua served as one of the flag bearers along with Malia Paseka, who are both participating in the taekwondo event. When Taufatofua walked out, he appeared shirtless and was all oiled up.
"The hot, shirtless Tongan flagbearer from Rio is BACK!"
— The New York Times (@nytimes) July 23, 2021
Pita Taufatofua became an overnight sensation five years ago when he marched shirtless and in a traditional Tongan outfit at the opening ceremonies in 2016 and 2018. He is back for #Tokyo2020. https://t.co/lSzzr8Lsf4 pic.twitter.com/bT2HlMoKhO
It marks the third consecutive Olympic Games in which Taufatofua appeared shirtless and covered in oil. Taufatofua also did the very same in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea.
Taufatofua definitely is devoted to being a spectacle since he braved cold temperatures at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang. In 2018, Taufatofua was the only Tongan to appear at the Olympics and finished 114th out of 119 competitors in the 15-kilometer free style race.
Taufatofua qualified for the 2020 Olympics and will be participating in the men's +80-kilogram category in the event. His first contest is slated to take place on Monday when he faces Vladislav Larin of the Russian Olympic Committee.
In addition, Taufatofua attempted to qualify for sprint canoeing in the Tokyo Olympics, but wasn't able to do so.