PHOTOSOiled-Up 'Hot Tongan' Flag Bearer Pita Taufatofua Steals The Show At 2021 Tokyo Olympics Opening Ceremony — Photos
Jul. 23 2021, Published 5:34 p.m. ET
The 2021 Tokyo Olympics Opening Ceremony was quite the spectacle, with tennis phenom Naomi Osaka — who recently made headlines when she backed out of the Grand Slam tournament earlier this year to focus on her mental health — closing out the show and lighting the Olympic cauldron.
Yet, all eyes were once again on the “Hot Tongan” and his oiled-up bod. In 2016, Pita Taufatofua made headlines in Rio and again at the Winter Games in Pyeongchang in 2018. Three years later, he captured the attention of millions around the world with his rock-hard abs.
“He doesn't even need to compete,” a third gushed over the Olympic hottie. “He needs to bear the flag until he's old and wrinkly.” Meanwhile, a fourth asked, “Is it hot in here or is it just the flag bearer from tonga?”
The hunk carried the flag for the small island nation in Tokyo alongside his teammate, Malia Paseka, both dressed in traditional Tongan garb. Although Taufatofua competed as a cross-country skier in the 2018 games, he is expected to compete in taekwondo in the weeks to come.
Scroll through the gallery below to see pics of “Hot Tongan” Pita Taufatofua at the Tokyo Olympic Opening Ceremony.
Pyeongchang
The athlete captured America's heart in 2018 during the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, as he represented his country of Tonga.
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Taufatofua flaunted his rock-hard abs donning traditional Tongan garb.
This is the third time the 37-year-old has represented his country in the Olympics.
The 2021 Tokyo Olympics run from July 21 to August 8, and will be broadcast on NBC.
Taufatofua competed in 2018 in cross-country skiing, and he is expected to compete this year in taekwondo.
