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Pita Taufatofua: Tonga's First Taekwondo Olympian

The underdog makes it to the Olympics

Kelli Hlushak

Aug 08, 2016

Metropolitan State University of Denver

Pita Taufatofua: Tonga's First Taekwondo Olympian

NewNowNext.com

I don't know about you, but I love the Olympics! My favorite events are, soccer, swimming, diving, volleyball, and now taekwondo. I have found my Olympic obsession (thanks to my kind brother-in-law) and he deserves all the medals. The Olympian...not my brother-in-law, although he's pretty great too.

Mr. Pita Taufatofua is a taekwondo athlete from Tonga. Last night he was the flag-bearer in the Opening Ceremony and people did not mind. LOOK:

According to his own website, he is Tonga's first ever taekwondo Olympian, so that's pretty neat. He's the underdog that we all need.

He explains that he is going to the Olympics to prove to the world that every voice needs to be heard.

He is a self-funded Olympian, and his day job is helping homeless kids gain independent living skills. #hardworker

Despite br eaking six bones, tearing three ligaments, spending three months in a wheelchair and a year and a half on crutches, he still made it to the Olympics...yet here I am struggling to go on a 10 minute run.

I don't have anymore fun facts, other than we share a birthday month #winning, so here are a bunch of pictures that should persuade you to cheer on this underdog.

I feel like he could bench me...

We all know what the kid is thinking... "goals."

<3 <3 <3 <3

Okay, his caption is a little annoying, but I'll let it go because he's an Olympian. ;)

Our kids would have the cutest smile <3 Here he is about to go spear fishing, which means he can provide for our future family.

For more of this hunk, follow his Instagram (you won't be disappointed), and watch him fight his first Olympic fight on NBC, August 20.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

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9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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