Oiled-up showstopper back to steal limelight at Games opener

He was the breakout star of the Rio Olympics and now Aussie-Tongan Pita Taufatofua is contesting his third Games.

##EMBARGO U ON SUNDAY QLD ## DO NOT USE BEFORE MAY 5# Athlete Pita Taufatofua became an internet sensation when he carried the Tongan flag at the Rio Olympics and oiled his chest. Pic Peter Wallis

HE was the breakout star of the Rio Olympics and now Aussie-Tongan Pita Taufatofua is contesting his third Games, bringing his high-energy optimism to the athletes village.

Taufatofua, 37, became an overnight sensation when he carried the flag at the Rio Games in 2016 clad in traditional Tongan dress — minus his shirt and with a well-oiled chest.

He did the same in freezing conditions at the PyeongChang Winter Games in 2018 after swapping from taekwondo to skiing. The Brisbane-based athlete is back for his third Games, and, after trying unsuccessfully to qualify in kayaking, will represent Tonga once again in taekwondo.

“I’m excited,” he said. “The travel, all the restrictions, all the Covid stuff, it’s just an honour to be here.’’

Taufatofua, the son of a Tongan father and Australian mother, is one of six Tongan athletes who will walk in the Parade of Nations, and wouldn’t rule out another scene-stealing appearance.

“You never know what’s going to happen in Tokyo. It’s a funny time in the world right now. Stranger things have happened,’’ he said.

On July 27, Taufatofua will take on Russian world champion Vladislav Larin in the 80-plus taekwondo division.

“The majority of my training leading up to here was for the kayak,’’ he said. “Then I couldn’t get to Siberia, then all of the sudden we realise I’ve got to go and fight the world champion in taekwondo. I’m like, ‘Oh I might have to get my taekwondo shoes back on’.

“I got the world champion first up. The big guy from Russia.

“So if you see me running around I’m trying to avoid the Russian’s kicks.’’