The world is returning to a new normal in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Case in point: the previously postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympics have just started with great fanfare and controversy.

But whether or not you think the Olympics are a good idea, one thing is for sure: we all deserve the shirtless Tonga flag bearer after a difficult year and a half.

Tongan athlete and flag bearer Pita Taufatofua became a staple of the viral Olympics in 2016. The 37-year-old taekwondo practitioner and skier first drew attention for carrying the Tongan flag during the ceremony. summer opening of 2016 wearing only a ta’ovala, a Tongan rug worn as a skirt for formal occasions. His shirtless, muscular and heavily oiled body quickly went viral for obvious (slightly aroused) reasons, making Taufatofua something of an Olympics legend.

“It was the first time I heard what a manager is, what a publicist is, what an agent is. It was just me and my trainer trying to deal with it all. Two people who knew nothing. No one had ever heard of Tonga. We were like, how is that possible? Taufatofua told the Guardian in 2019.

Taufatofua competed in the 2016 Summer Olympics in taekwondo and the 2018 Winter Olympics in skiing. Now our boy is back, competing in taekwondo again for the 2020 Games. And, yes, he’s still shirtless and greased with coconut oil.

Discover Taufatofua’s jagged physique in these 11 photos from the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics. Thanks

Jamie squireGetty Images

Hannah McKay – PoolGetty Images

Hannah McKay – PoolGetty Images

Jamie squireGetty Images

Clive BrunskillGetty Images

STRANGE ANDERSENGetty Images

STRANGE ANDERSENGetty Images

STRANGE ANDERSENGetty Images

Patrick smithGetty Images

Patrick smithGetty Images

Patrick smithGetty Images

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