Pita Taufatofua: Tonga's First Taekwondo Olympian | The Odyssey Online
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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
114
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 breaking 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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