Tongan luger Bruno Banani shares name with underwear company

TONGAN luger Bruno Banani shares his name with a German underwear company that has paired with the 26-year-old.

TALK about Olympic support.

Tongan luger Bruno Banani - formerly known as Fuahea Semi - shares his name with a German underwear company that paired with the 26-year-old in a unique sponsorship agreement.

The story is straight from a Hollywood movie script.

When Tongan Princess Salote Mafile’o Pilolevu Tuita set out in 2008 get an athlete from the tiny Polynesian nation into the Winter Games, Banani, then a computer science student and member of the military, beat out dozens of other Tongans and decided to give luge a go. He moved to Germany in 2009 and trained with the sliding power’s national team.

Needing money to cover the cost of the expensive sport, he approached the company Bruno Banani, which manufactures men’s underwear. He changed his name to the company’s and soon the two were partners.

Bruno Banani of Tonga in action in Sochi.

Banani failed to qualify for the Vancouver Games after crashing and sustaining a concussion.

He made it to Sochi, though, placing 32nd - one spot ahead of Aussie Alex Ferlazzo.

“It’s just unbelievable to represent your country at the Games. It’s only five years I’m practicing and competing in luge so I have all the reasons to be happy,” Banani said.

Banani also admitted he felt almost unique inside the Fisht Stadium during the opening ceremony.

“My sister is here. She was the only girl with a Tongan flag at the venue and I’m happy she wintessed my Olympic performance,” he said.

“After I walked up with the Tongan flag at the opening ceremony I received so many messages from my home. I just couldn’t imagine I will receive so many,” the 26-year-old added.

“I understood that at home everyone is proud of me, everyone is happy to have a compatriot at the Olympics.”