Tongan flagbearer Pita Taufatofua is refocusing on training following the overwhelming global response to his entrance at the Rio Olympics Opening Ceremony.
The 32-year-old taekwondo athlete was the talk of the internet, and many viewers around the world, after the cameras zoomed in on his coconut-oiled body at the Maracana Stadium.
Some viewers joked that all gold medals be handed over to Tonga immediately.
Pita Taufatofua leads Tonga's delegation during the opening ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on 5 August 2016. Photo: AFP
The Oceania champion has since featured in media all over the world and even managed a picture backstage on America's Today Show with Brazilian supermodel Adriana Lima.
Team Tonga Chef de Mission Michael Bloomfield said the global reaction took them by surprise.
"Obviously we came here for the sports but the reactions from the opening ceremony and what Pita wore has been unexpected but pleasantly unexpected. It's hopefully put our little country on the map and hopefully there will be some positive outcomes as a result of the opening ceremony," he said.
"There is a little bit of a concern and I've raised it in a team meeting - we hope that it doesn't affect him majorly. He's a mature young man, down to earth and he's taking it in his stride some of those challenges, which he couldn't stop anyway.
"It's already tapering down, together with his coach's involvement, in other non-sport aspects of the game and get back to focus. He's well-rounded and he's focused - I am confident that he can handle them both but we're tapering it down at the moment to concentrate on preparation."
Michael Bloomfield said MR Taufatofua, who will compete in the men's over 80kg taekwondo division next weekend, is Tonga's best hope for a medal and they are quietly confident he will do well on his Olympic debut.
