Tonga's bare‑chested flag-bearer given warm reception at the Winter Olympics

Tonga's bare‑chested flag-bearer given warm reception at the Winter Olympics

By Lena Reece
10/02/2018
Tonga's bare‑chested flag-bearer Pita Taufatofua [Photo: Reuters]

Tonga's bare‑chested flag-bearer for its one‑man Winter Olympics team was given a warm reception by the opening ceremony crowd in sub‑zero temperatures.

Pita Taufatofua emerged from the tunnel covered in his trademark body oil and wearing a grass skirt, sandals and a huge smile as he led the Tongan delegation around the arena.

The Oceania gold medallist in taekwondo made global headlines in 2016 with a shirtless entrance as the country's flagbearer at the Rio Olympics.

The 34-year-old is the second Tongan athlete ever to qualify for the Winter Olympics.

Source: Radio NZ

FNRL
FEATURE NEWS
Major commercial agriculture project announced with Aitken Spence after Deputy PM Kamikamica's initial discussions
Good news for Fiji's commercial agriculture sector as Sri Lanka's leading manufacturers of premium tea, rubber, coconut, palm oil, and Ceylon cinnamon...
2 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Christchurch International Airport under full emergency for incoming flight
A full emergency has been declared at Christchurch International Airport for an incoming flight this afternoon. Fire & Emergency NZ, ...
2 minutes ago

Navtarang/Sargam performance team is all set to light the Diwali Dhamka Show
The Navtarang and Radio Sargam is all set to light up with exciting performances for the Diwali Dhamaka show this Sunday at Rups Mega ...
42 minutes ago

FNU unveils new Alumni Network logo
The Fiji National University unveiled its new Alumni Network logo and identity during the Grand Alumni Fundraising Ball, aiming to strengthen ...
49 minutes ago

Worrying signs as 126 HIV related deaths recorded in Fiji last year
126 deaths last year were caused by HIV. Chairman of the Fiji National HIV Outbreak Cluster Response Taskforce, Dr. Jason Mitchell, confirmed this ...
2 hours ago

Ravula and Qing Qing further remanded in custody
Joshua Ravula and Yin Qing Qing have been further remanded into custody till 23rd October for their formal bail applications. The two are charged ...
2 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Bainimarama and Qiliho hearing in dismissal of 2 police officers case
Acting Director of Public Prosecutions John Rabuku says he wants the hearing of former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and suspended Police ...
7 days ago

AG Graham Leung dismissed by the PM
Former Attorney-General Graham Leung was dismissed by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka on May 30th, 2025, after a Commission of Inquiry (COI) report ...
15 days ago

TOP