‘More topless men please!’ Shirtless Samoan athletes steal the show at Olympics Closing Ceremony – after Taekwondo fighter Pita Taufatofua went viral at the start of the games
- Members of Team Samoa caught the attention of viewers at the ceremony today
- Comes after Pita Taufatofua stole the show at the Olympic Opening Ceremony
- ‘Topless Tongan’ went viral online after bearing country’s flag shirtless in July
- Find out the latest Tokyo Olympic news including schedule, medal table and results right here
While the ‘Topless Tongan’ may have stolen the show at the Olympics Opening Ceremony, it was Team Samoa that caught the attention of the public this afternoon.
Shirtless Somoan athletes left social media users hot under the collar today as they stepped out for the Closing Ceremony in Tokyo, with viewers highlighting the ‘growing trend’ of hunky men parading around the Olympic stadium topless.
Last month it was Tongan flag bearer Pita Taufatofua who set social media ablaze as he showed off his toned physic while waving his country’s flag and leading the team out into the Japan National Stadium.
Viewers quickly took to Twitter to comment on the Pacific Islanders, and to question whether Taufatofua would be bearing the flag for his country once again.
Shirtless Somoan athletes left social media users hot under the collar this afternoon as they stepped out for the Closing Ceremony in Tokyo
Topless Pacific islands athletes arrive in the stadium ahead of the closing ceremony taking place
‘More topless men please! #ClosingCeremony #Olympics”, wrote one user this afternoon.
‘Has Tonga come out yet, asking for a friend….. #ClosingCeremony.’, wrote another.
A third said: ‘I saw Samoa enter early on, and all the men were shirtless. I love that this is a growing trend in Olympic ceremonies! Haha!
The same user went on to explain: ‘For Covid reasons, all athletes had to depart Tokyo 48 hours after competition so that’ll cut down on the people present at these ceremonies.’
Shirtless Somoan athletes are pictured walking through the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo this afternoon
The shirtless men led the Samoa delegation as they made their way through the Olympic Stadium today
Sadly for fans of the hunky Tongan athletes, the country did not name an official flag bearer – likely due to Covid rules that state that all athletes must leave Japan within 48 hours of competing.
Taufatofua, 37, shot to worldwide prominence at the Olympic Opening Ceremony in Rio in 2016 when, ignoring pleas from officials, he stripped down from the official suit and walked out in nothing more than a ta’ovala [a Tongan mat wrapped around the waist].
As the television cameras focused on the ‘Topless Tongan’ it became apparent he wasn’t sweating as first thought, but had applied copious amounts of oil to his torso.
Taufatofua also has an engineering degree and, you may not be surprised to learn, has been modelling since the age of 18.
Viewers quickly took to Twitter to comment on the Pacific Islanders, and to question whether Taufatofua would be bearing the flag for his country once again
The heartthrob went viral again at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, where he represented Tonga in cross-country skiing.
Fans old and new of Taufatofua, who this year represented his country in taekwondo, took to Twitter to express their appreciation with millions watching the Ceremony right around the world.
‘There’s enough oil on the Tonga flag bearer to fry a turkey dinner and I love it. Is this man single? Oh my God,’ wrote one.
‘Tonga’s flag bearer is heating up the internet!’ said another.
Tongan athlete Pita Taufatofua caused a sensation after leading out his nation’s athletes at the Olympic Opening Ceremony while shirtless and smothered in baby oil
The 37-year-old taekwondo fighter went viral as he emerged as Tonga’s flag bearer
‘Tonga’s flag bearer wins the evening for me’ added another tweeter.
This year’s closing ceremony saw crowds absent due to Covid restrictions – as they were at the opening ceremony.
Just a few dozen VIPs and members of the media were present to watch the proceedings in person.
The event featured light shows and made-for TV special effects largely replacing large choreographed routines that have become the hallmark of Olympic ceremonies.
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