PYEONGCHANG, South Korea – Tongan flagbearer Pita Taufatofua upstaged his sensational entrance at the Rio Olympics in 2016 with another dramatic walk at Pyeongchang Olympic Stadium on Friday night. Once again, he showed up without a shirt.
This time the conditions were much harsher with temperatures just below freezing, not counting any wind from this notoriously breezing part of the country. Taufatofua, again carrying the Tongan flag, brought cheers from the crowd as he entered shirtless and glistening with oil -- just as he did in the much warmer Rio opening ceremony.
Taufatofua competed in taekwondo at Rio and lost in the first round, but gained an adoring international fan base for his Rio entrance wearing traditional Tongan costume.