Tongan Olympian Pita Taufatofua has delighted fans once again—this time not from an Olympic stadium, but from home.
Pita Taufatofua. Photo/File photo
In a Facebook post this morning, Taufatofua shared a photo of himself with his sister and nephew, captioned:
“Back home and explaining to my sister and nephew about that time I carried the Olympic flag and didn’t drop it!”
The light‑hearted post comes just days after Taufatofua returned to the headlines for his appearance at the 2026 Winter Olympics, officially opened on February 6, 2026, in a historic dual ceremony across Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo.
During the Opening Ceremony, he carried the Olympic flag as a “messenger of peace,” joining a group of global representatives selected for embodying unity and Olympic values.
Taufatofua’s role in the 2026 ceremony adds another chapter to his remarkable Olympic journey.
He first captured worldwide attention at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where he appeared bare‑chested and wearing a traditional taʻovala as Tonga’s flag bearer—a moment that became a viral sensation and an iconic Pacific representation on the world stage.
Although he was eliminated in the first round of the taekwondo competition in Rio, his Olympic journey was far from over.
He stunned audiences again at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, competing in cross‑country skiing and placing 114th out of 119 in the 15km freestyle event—still earning admiration for braving the cold in his cultural attire.
Pita Taufatofua at home sharing the story with his sister and nephew about the moment he carried the Olympic flag without dropping it.
He went on to make a third Olympic appearance in 2020, walking alongside fellow Tongan taekwondo athlete Malia Paseka during the Opening Ceremony, further solidifying his status as one of Tonga’s most recognisable and versatile athletes.
While Taufatofua did not compete in the 2026 Winter Games, his presence as a flag‑bearer once again brought pride to Tongans worldwide.
Media coverage has highlighted him as a recurring symbol of Pacific identity, perseverance, and global representation.
