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Pita Taufatofua became an overnight sensation five years ago when he paraded shirtless and dressed in a traditional Tongan costume during the Opening Ceremony of the Rio 2016 Games, and again at the Games in winter of 2018 in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
Taufatofua was back on Friday when he paraded in Tokyo for his third Olympics, where he will compete in taekwondo. Earlier today, Taufatofua said he was still shocked by the reaction to his traditional attire.
“It was really a surprise to me,” he said in a telephone interview on Friday. “Suddenly, within a day, social media exploded. Who is your manager? We need to talk. I didn’t even know what those words meant.
In the end, Taufatofua attracted attention. He is now a motivational speaker and UNICEF Ambassador.
“For me, the Olympics are not even about the athletes,” he said. “I think we are just a representation of every person on the planet trying to overcome something.”
Taufatofua, who started taekwondo as a child, dismissed the idea that he was just trying to cash in on his Olympic fame. He lost in the first round in Rio, but noted that half of the judo competitors at the Olympics did the same. He also had to fight a leading opponent.
“It’s an honor to fight these guys,” he said. “I’m not here to be the best in the world. I am here to be the best version of myself.
Taufatofua was shy about what he planned to wear during the opening ceremony.
“We just have to wait and see what the Olympics bring, you know?” he said. “You know, this is the biggest show in the world that we do.”
(He arrived as he did in Rio, in traditional dress. Expect him to be trending online again anytime.)
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