Everyone’s freaking out because Pita Taufatofua (a.k.a. the Shirtless Tongan) returned to the Olympics as his country’s flag-bearer for last night’s opening ceremonies.
Related: He’s BACK! Everyone’s favorite oiled-up Tongan heartthrob just qualified for the Winter Olympics
It was -2 degrees Celsius (28 degrees Fahrenheit) outside, but that didn’t prevent Taufatofua from ripping off his shirt, rubbing baby oil all over his body, and proudly waving his country’s flag for the world to see.
Tongan Flag Bearer, @PitaTaufatofua, has returned!! #WinterOlympicshttps://t.co/jUEL5ejPMA pic.twitter.com/knQnPdVZ3r
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) February 9, 2018
Twitter was very impressed with the glistening performance, though nobody could seem to agree on the exact temperature outside other than it was cold:
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
It’s 22 degrees in PeoyongChang, but Tonga’s Pita Taufatofua is still shirtless. Amazing pic.twitter.com/99lZW5hGJx
— Hunter Schwarz (@hunterschwarz) February 9, 2018
He's back and oiled up again! Pita Taufatofua of Tonga at the #WinterOlympics2018 pic.twitter.com/VPs3R9t9U1
— Tom & Lorenzo (@tomandlorenzo) February 9, 2018
Tonga – HOLY SHIT PITA TAUFATOFUA YOU LEGEND. It's minus 5 and he's busted out the baby oil and diamond cutters #OpeningCeremony #PyeongChang2018 #medallica #gusandrig
— Gus and Rig (@GusAndRig) February 9, 2018
If it wasn't enough that Pita Taufatofua competed in taekwondo in Rio and is skiing in #Pyeongchang2018 having never seen snow until two years ago, he also works with homeless children, has an engineering degree and has been a model. Save some achievements for the rest of us pal. pic.twitter.com/wLBtTvgEl6
— Brydon Coverdale (@brydoncoverdale) February 9, 2018
Serious respect for Pita Taufatofua. Proudly representing his cultural background and country despite insanely cold weather ( – 37 ???) #PyeongChang2018 https://t.co/jt8gDqMm1g
— Justin S. (@boblikespi) February 9, 2018
Taufatofua will also be competing in this year’s games. Only this time, he’s traded in the taekwondo belt he wore in Rio for a set of cross country skis, an impressive feat considering there’s no snow in Tonga.
Taufatofua is just the second Tongan ever to compete in the Winter Olympics.
Related: “Today” In Supreme Awkwardness: Al Roker And Co. Smear Lotion All Over Studly Tongan Olympian
Bob LaBlah
And if he catches pneumonia were I Tonga I would make him pay for ALL of the expenses to get him there and back home.
maxdadmark
One doesn’t “catch” pneumonia from being cold. It is an infectious disease or caused by some type of lung damage (i.e. aspiration, other lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis, COPD, and asthma, diabetes, heart failure, a history of smoking, a poor ability to cough such as following a stroke, or a weak immune system.
prarie pup
Hmmm. It appears Mr. Taufatofua has run out of material.
leobaga
O M G! What a sight! Woof!
draven
Fine! ?????????
draven
Fine hothothothothot like fire
This site doesn’t print fire emojis they turn into question marks.
Tombear
????
Daniel-Reader
He doesn’t have any whip marks on his back, does he? Must probably be straight. Tonga is a nation with a tiny populace (just over hundred thousand) that imprisons gay people for 10 years and whips them for being born when it does. It considers itself a “kingdom” which means its “royalty” are guilty of mass human rights violations.
jack512
I want to be Pita’s baby oil applier.