AFP, Japan :
Tonga’s Pita Taufatofua was feeling the love on Saturday after oiling up to cause an online sensation at a third straight Olympic opening ceremony, but this time he was challenged by an equally ripped rower from Vanuatu.
Taufatofua first captured world attention when the Rio Games opened in 2016, appearing topless and glistening with body oil while enthusiastically waving the banner of his tiny South Pacific nation.
He racked up 45 million Twitter mentions within hours, then went on to repeat his chest-bearing feats at the curtainraiser for the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Games, despite freezing conditions.
The 37-year-old, competing in taekwondo in Tokyo, again proved a popular online focal point at the stripped-back ceremony to kick off the Games on Friday, acting as Tonga’s co-flagbearer with fellow martial artist Malia Paseka.
This time, however, there was a fly in the ointment in the form of Vanuatu rower Riilio Rii, a 27-year-old Games debutant who also showed off his glistening torso while wearing a traditional multi-coloured grass skirt. The head-to-head inevitably led to a series of “who wore it better?” debates online, with the official Olympic Twitter account weighing in.
“It if ain’t broke don’t fix it,” the Games feed posted alongside a picture of Taufatofua, following up by saying “Pita, we see you and we raise you” after Rii’s appearance.
Both athletes had their supporters, with specialist publication Rowing Voice declaring Rii “won the night… looking regal to his toes”. Taufatofua appeared unfazed by the competition as he posted a message to supporters on Saturday.
