Skip to Search Skip to Live Player Skip to Content Skip to Footer
WRIF Rocks Detroit | Everything That Rocks Pita Taufatofua, The Oiled-Up Flag Bearer from Tonga, Returns
  • Home
  • Latest Stories
        • Latest Stories

          • Rock News
          • Man Cave
          • Everything Detroit
          • Andy Green
        • Latest Rock News

  • On Air
        • Dave & Chuck The Freak

          • About
          • Home
          • Dave & Chuck The Freak Podcast
          • Dave & Chuck The Freak’s Tasty Bits
          • Peep Show
          • D&C Store
          • YouTube
        • Shows

          • Dave and Chuck the Freak
          • Jade Springart
          • Meltdown
          • Aimee Brooks
          • WRIF Weekends
          • Motor City Riffs
          • Midnight Metal
          • RIFF2
        • Recently Played

        • The RIFF Wants Your Feedback

          New Music Breakdown
  • Listen + Watch
        • Listen + Watch

          • Dave & Chuck The Freak Podcast
          • Dave & Chuck The Freak’s Tasty Bits
          • Dave & Chuck The Freak Peep Show
          • RIFF TV
          • Talkin’ Rock With Meltdown
          • Jade & Andy Podcast
          • Haunted Michigan with Meltdown
          • New Music Breakdown Poll
          • ROAR Around The Ring
          • All Podcasts
          • Photos
        • Podcasts

          wrif podcast logo
        • RIFF TV

          rifftv logo
        • Photos

          photos image
        • Latest Peep Shows

  • Contests
  • Events
  • Shop
        • Shop

          • The RIFF Store
          • Must Haves
        • WRIF Gear

        • Dave & Chuck The Freak Store

        • Must Haves

  • More
        • Connect

          • About WRIF | Contact Us
          • Ways To Rock With 101 WRIF
          • Download The Riff App
          • Join The WRIF CyberCrew
          • Dave & Chuck the Freak’s Daily Download
          • Beasley Best Community of Caring
          • Advertise
          • Careers
        • Join The Cybercrew

        • Advertise With RIFF

          image overlaid with text that reads advertise with us
        • 101 WRIF Rock Hall

Summer Games

  • About
  • Photos
  • Event News
  • Quizzes, Trivia & Games

Summer Games

Summer Games

  • About
  • Photos
  • Event News
  • Quizzes, Trivia & Games

Pita Taufatofua, The Oiled-Up Flag Bearer from Tonga, Returns & Twitter is Thrilled

Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter
July 23rd, 2021 9:56 AM

Pita Taufatofua, the shirtless, oiled-up flag bearer from Tonga, has made his triumphant return during the Opening Ceremony of the Tokyo Olympics.

Taufatofua, who first captured the world’s attention at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, will be competing in the Taekwondo tournament. He also appeared shirtless and oily as the flag bearer for Tonga during the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, despite the literally freezing temperatures.

His presence is proof that in a world so divided, at least we all can agree on this: Some heroes don’t wear capes; sometimes, they wear so much baby oil it would make an ’80s Hulk Hogan blush.

As expected, Taufatofua’s appearance was met with glorious fanfare on Twitter. Here are some of the best reactions.

Good morning Team Tonga. #Olympics pic.twitter.com/YqOaFuLgXP

— E! News (@enews) July 23, 2021

THE TONGA LAD IS BACK. #Tokyo2020 #OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/Idmw1BIwBu

— H.R.Owens (@heatherowens33) July 23, 2021

***BREAKING*** TONGA HAS WON THE OLYMPICS. We can all go home now. #Olympics pic.twitter.com/6yngzDkDrl

— 🥕BeardedDonkey🥕 (@BeardeddonkeyTv) July 23, 2021

The Flag Bearer from Tonga still has not bought a shirt. #Tokyo2020 #Olympics #OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/vmN5erjZ2H

— Kris Pangilinan (@KrisReports) July 23, 2021

Me when the shirtless Tonga flagbearer shows up pic.twitter.com/FifLVNyFrs

— Logan (@Logan_McQ) July 23, 2021

Looking at Tonga 🇹🇴 RESPECTFULLY #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/E6l2PY47M6

— NorMåneskin Vincitori di Europa 🇮🇹 (@NonnyLand) July 23, 2021

Pita Taufatofua, Tonga's shirtless Olympic flag bearer makes his return.#Tokyo2020 | #Olympics pic.twitter.com/EAMv7fxOoT

— Sporting News (@sportingnews) July 23, 2021

Finally the moment we’ve all been waiting for. Tonga man #OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/ApIkaawZmc

— Sibsie (@Sibsie) July 23, 2021

The whole world when Tonga man showed up 🇹🇴🙌🏼🌎❤️ He became an Olympic tradition. #Olympics #Tokyo2020 #OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/6JhmGm8pYI

— . (@Lettie4u) July 23, 2021

This is a Tonga Olympics appreciation tweet for no reason in particular

📷: Getty Images pic.twitter.com/PgGmjDEaCw

— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) July 23, 2021

Let’s be honest, this is the only reason we all watch the #OpeningCeremony #Olympics #Tokyo2020 #Tonga pic.twitter.com/drZyKUh0KS

— tb (@TmmyBaks) July 23, 2021

It’s not an Olympics opening ceremony without an oiled-up man from Tonga! #Olympics #tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/8cb8xh2QLh

— MrJDS (@mrjdsworld) July 23, 2021

All of the Events of the 2021 Summer Games

  • Archery

    Share

    Taking place July 23-31.

  • Artistic Swimming

    Share

    Taking place August 2-4 and 6-7.

  • Badminton

    Share

    Taking place July 24-August 2.

  • Baseball

    Share

    Taking place July 28-August 7.

  • Basketball

    Share

    Taking place July 25-August 8.

  • Basketball 3×3

    Share

    Taking place July 24-28.

  • Beach Volleyball

    Share

    Taking place July 24-August 7.

  • Boxing

    Share

    Taking place July 24-August 1 and August 3-8.

  • Canoe/Kayak

    Share

    Taking place July 25-30 and August 2-7.

  • Cycling – Road – Olympics: Day 1

    Share

    Taking place July 24-August 8.

  • Diving

    Share

    Taking place July 25-28 and July 30-August 7.

  • Equestrian

    Share

    Taking place July 24-25, 27-28, July 30-August 4 and August 6-7.

  • Fencing

    Share

    Taking place July 24-August 1.

  • Field Hockey

    Share

    Taking place July 24-August 6.

  • Golf

    Share

    Taking place July 29-August 1 and August 4-7.

  • Gymastics

    Share

    Taking place July 24-29 and August 1-3.

  • Handball

    Share

    Taking place July 24-August 8.

  • Judo

    Share

    Taking place July 24-31.

  • Karate

    Share

    Taking place August 5-7.

  • Modern Pentathlon (Comprised of fencing, 200m freestyle swimming, show jumping, and a final combined event of pistol shooting and a 3200m cross-country run.)

    Share

    Taking place August 5-7.

  • Rhythmic Gymnastics

    Share

    Taking place August 6-8.

  • Rowing

    Share

    Taking place July 23-30.

  • Rugby

    Share

    Taking place July 26-31.

  • Sailing

    Share

    Taking place July 25-August 4.

  • Shooting

    Share

    Taking place July 24-27 and July 29-August 2..

  • Skateboarding

    Share

    Taking place July 25-26 and August 4-5.

  • Soccer

    Share

    Taking place July 21-22, 24-25, 27-28, 30-31, August 2-3 and 5-7.

  • Softball

    Share

    Taking place July 21-22 and 24-27.

  • Sport Climbing

    Share

    Taking place August 3-6.

  • Surfing

    Share

    Taking place July 25-28.

  • Swimming

    Share

    Taking place July 24-August 1.

  • Table Tennis

    Share

    Taking place July 24-30 and August 1-6.

  • Taekwondo

    Share

    Taking place July 24-27.

  • Tennis

    Share

    Taking place July 24-August 1.

  • Track & Field

    Share

    Taking place July 30-August 8.

  • Trampoline

    Share

    Taking place July 30-31.

  • Triathlon

    Share

    Taking place July 26-27 and 31.

  • Volleyball

    Share

    Taking place July 24-August 8.

  • Water Polo

    Share

    Taking place July 24-August 8.

  • Weightlifting

    Share

    Taking place July 24-28 and July 31-August 4.

  • Wrestling

    Share

    Taking place August 1-7.

Erica Banas is a rock/classic rock news blogger who's well-versed in etiquette and extraordinarily nice. #TransRightsAreHumanRights
WRIF Rocks Detroit | Everything That Rocks

Sign me up for the 101 WRIF Cybercrew email newsletter!

Join the 101 WRIF Cybercrew to get everything that rocks sent right to your inbox from The Riff! You’ll get updates on concerts and your favorite bands, along with exclusive chances to win. Plus news and stories from all around metro Detroit!

*
*
By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.
Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter
Category:
  • Summer Games
Tags:
Olympics

More Summer Games

Limp Bizkit’s Loserville Tour Is Coming To Pine Knob

Michigan Grad Sues The State Over Reassigned License Plate

Bill Burr Is Coming To Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena

Please Help Me By Donating To The Salvation Army

Winter Classy Charity Hockey Game To Benefit The Children’s Miracle Network Friday In Fraser

Robert Jon & The Wreck Bring Their Blues Based Rock To Detroit For The First Time

Detroit Red Wings’ Captain Dylan Larkin Shares Tragic News

The Iconic WRIF Bumper Sticker: A Brief History (PHOTOS)

Sixteen Christmas Movies Worth Watching Over And Over

Great White’s Jack Russell On New Music, Working With Tracii Guns, His Health And More

A Look Back – Where My Harley Took Me Throughout The Summer Of 2023

Former Music Industry Executive And Producer Tom Werman Talks Rock

Metallica Releases Live Pro-Shot ‘Lux Æterna’ From Detroit

Twenty Five Small Businesses You Suggested For Small Business Saturday

My Take On The Barry Sanders Doc Bye Bye Barry – Meltdown

Metallica’s Robert Trujillo On Motown – That Was 100% In My Wheelhouse

Meet The Swedish Alternative Metalcore Band Imminence

The Historic Karl’s Cabin Is About To Reopen

Non-Spoiler “Thanksgiving” Movie Review

District 142 In Wyandotte Becomes The Jackyl Bar And Grill – Pictures

Karen Newman Speaks to Her Career, Singing with Bob Seger and Kid Rock, Her Christmas Specials And More

You Have To See To Believe The World’s New Largest Roller Coaster

UK AC/DC Fans Launch Petition To Get Them The Top Spot On Charts

Sammy Hagar Is Returning To Detroit Next Summer

The Weekend Wrap Up With Metallica In Detroit

Metallica Destroys At Ford Field With Ice Nine Kills And Five Finger Death Punch

Robert Trujillo On Motown, Geddy Lee And 20 Years In Metallica

Metallica, Pantera, and Mammoth WVH Rock Ford Field

Metallica’s Robert Trujillo Talks 72 Seasons, Detroit And More

Tim Allen Coming Home For Show At Detroit’s Fox Theatre

Meet Legendary Detroit Tattoo Artist Bob Tyrrell

WRIF Staff Members Pick Their Dream Metallica Set Lists

The Story Behind The Famous Hallway Photos At The Machine Shop – Pictures

Emagine Theatres Honoring Veterans Day With Free Admission For Veterans And Active Military

Fozzy Rocks District 142 In Wyandotte

Chris Jericho Talks New Music, The Direction Of His Band Fozzy, And More

28 Pictures For 28 Years At WRIF

Taproot Debut Creepy Video For “Favourite Song” With Nod To WRIF

Metallica Fans Can Meet James Hetfield At Third Man Records

A Visit To The New Hudson Inn – Michigan’s Oldest Bar

Local Woman Spent The Summer Going To Metallica Shows Across America

Creed Bringing Their Summer Of ’99 Tour To Pine Knob

Plymouth Home Becomes Insane Haunted House/Yard For Halloween

What A Summer Of WRIF Shows At Pine Knob!

Detroit Guitar Hero John 5 Debuts New Song “The Ghost” Just In Time For Halloween

Andy Summers On His Upcoming Tour, The Rock Hall & His Favorite Police Album

Anthrax Singer Joey Belladonna Excited To Perform National Anthem This Sunday

Haunted Belle Isle Folklore With Paranormal Author Roxanne Rhoads

Load More
Beasley Media Group
Download our station app

Download the app to LISTEN LIVE wherever you are and connect with us like never before!

Download on the App Store Download on the Google Play
Newsletter sign up

Don't miss on pre-sales, member-only contests and member only events.

WRIF Rocks Detroit Newsletter
About
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA
  • EEO
  • Terms and Conditions
  • FCC Public File
  • FCC Applications
Connect
  • About WRIF | Contact Us
  • Beasley Best Community of Caring
  • General Contest Rules
  • Contest Rules Archive
  • Listen Help
  • Learn How To Advertise On Detroit Radio
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram