The Summer Olympics 2016 celebrated a lot of milestones this year. Rio De Janeiro became the first South American city to host the Summer Olympic games. Refugee and independent athletes were welcomed for the first time. The first Olympic Laurel was also awarded, a distinction created to honor an outstanding individual for their achievements in education, culture, development and peace through sport, which was bestowed to Kip Keino from Kenya.
And for us in the Philippines, we were proud to send our first table tennis athlete to the olympics, Ian Lariba. Ian was our flag bearer during the Olympics Opening Ceremony’s Parade of Nations.
Tonga on the Map
BUT what this year’s Olympic Games managed to achieve at the opening ceremony Friday night, above all, was put Tonga on the map. I don’t think it was the plan, but it did.
Tonga? Exactly. Most people weren’t even sure which continent it is at. But during the athletes’ parade of 207 participating nations, one stood out among all—the flag bearer of Tonga in their traditional costume.
Tongan Flag Bearer wearing a ta’ovala (Tongan mat) and a lot of oil on his torso.
Internet Went Crazy over #TongaFlagBearer
A few seconds after the Tongan athletes marched in Maracana stadium, which drew a massive cheer, the internet went crazy! Hashtags #Tonga #TongaFlagBearer instantly trended on Twitter and Instagram.
Here are some of the earlier tweets.
move over humpback whales! #Tonga has a new national icon #OpeningCeremony #Olympics2016 #TongaFlagBearer pic.twitter.com/AjSMCgvGy6
— Wanderlass (@wanderlass) August 6, 2016
The moment you stopped giving a f#¿k about #Zika and booked a flight to Rio. #TongaFlagBearerpic.twitter.com/TnMPmWxRKq
— SerenaRogersNelson (@iashea) August 6, 2016
Kids: “Mom, where are we going for spring break?”
Me: “Tonga”
#Tonga
— Kate (@Wishful_wink) August 6, 2016
The women of the world have voted and #TongaFlagBearer wins all the golds. #OpeningCeremony
— Johnna Rae Harris (@johnnarae) August 6, 2016
Tweets didn’t just come from girls. Men expressed themselves too. From humorous ones,
All men are created equal? Dear God, I want my money back #TongaFlagBearer pic.twitter.com/acEDn7XXH8
— Stevie G (@Word_Massager) August 6, 2016
…to those with a bit of bitterness.
You know the #Rio2016 opening ceremonies was boring when this is the highlight. #TongaFlagBearer pic.twitter.com/Vb9SN7PNfU
— Zack Fradella (@ZackFradellaWx) August 6, 2016
So who is the Tongan flag bearer?
Pita Nikolas Taufatofua is Tonga’s flag bearer, who drew a massive cheer at Maracana stadium as well as broke the internet. He was born in Australia but grew up in Tonga, and is the country’s first Olympic taekwondo athlete. (Something tells me Taekwondo is going to get more attention this year than the previous years.)
So most of us Googled him for the first time, but his Instagram account revealed that he already has a large following. I’m sure it has increased significantly since Friday night. And based on my ~casual~ browsing through his Instagram feed, I think he has some very good qualities.
He works hard
He likes kids
He plants trees
Ready to visit Tonga?
Tonga is an archipelago in the South Pacific. Before today, Tonga was primarily known for its pristine white beaches, crystal clear water, and the place to witness humpback whale migration during winter, which is happening about now.
If you are ready to visit Tonga, here is a guide one how to apply for tourist visa to Tonga.
