Tonga is promising another surprise at the Olympic Games closing ceremony.
Flagbearer Pita Taufatofua was the talk of the Rio and the world after the cameras zoomed in on his coconut-oiled body during the opening ceremony more than two weeks ago.
The 32 year old led out the Tongan delegation at the Maracana Stadium wearing a traditional Tupenu wrap from the waist down and a lot of coconut oil everywhere else.
Taufatofua competed in the men's over 80kg taekwondo class at the weekend but was beaten 16-1 by Iran's Sajjad Mardani in the first round.
Tonga's Pita Taufatofua takes on Iran's Sajjad Mardani during their men's in his +80kg taekwondo qualifying bout in Rio. Photo: AFP
"I was looking forward to the competition. I thought I was the best of the world, he proved me otherwise and he did it very quickly as well," he said post-fight.
"It was a bit slow for me in the first round, second round I couldn't get it back. At the end of the day, the better man won. But to see the crowd so happy felt like a little win as well.
"His front leg was a bit of a nightmare. I started off too slow and he caught me. He was up I think 9-0 before I even started trying kicks. I went like 'What I am doing?' and then I started throwing a few spinning kicks. I got one point and that was the happiest point I've ever had in my life.
"When I came out and saw the crowd, everyone was happy and was having a good time. I just do feed off that energy while I was here for my country and I hope that I represented my country maybe not with the win, but maybe in other positive ways."
Tonga's Pita Taufatofua lands a blow on Iran's Sajjad Mardani during their men's in his +80kg taekwondo qualifying bout in Rio. Photo: AFP
After "breaking the interent" during the opening ceremony, Pita Taufatofua said people can expect another memorable display at the closing ceremony.
"Yes. You guys are going to have to keep your eyes open, don't blink or you'll miss it. There is some stuff happening. I just let you guys know this."
His coach, Master Paula Sitapa, said despite a first-up exit Pita Taufatofua's Olympic experience was successful.
"The goal is not just to get a medal from the Olympics but to put Tonga on the map and I think we quite achieved it and it's grown more than what we expected - and it's still going, it still feels like a dream, but it's amazing to see and still see how far this thing is going," he said.
For tomorrow (Monday NZT) night everyone is anticipating to see what is going to happen and what new that this Tongan guy will do but we will just leave it for a surprise. We're quite happy we were be able to lift our country as well as other Pacific Islanders."
Pita Taufatofua during the opening ceremony. Photo: AFP
Pita Taufatofua said he had received a lot of offers and proposals off the back of his Olympic experience.
Master Paula Sitapa said they intend to keep going and push towards the Tokyo Olympics in four years time.
"What happened in this Olympics is just the beginning for us and we'd like to keep on going. Of course 2020 is another four years to go but there's a lot of things for us to do - especially raising up the next generation and see what we can do more to help and giving back to the communties and all the people that are supporting us.
