Pita Taufatofua has qualified for the Olympics again, but if he is planning to lather up this time, it will be with anti-freeze rather than coconut oil.
Against the odds, Taufatofua, 34, has qualified as a skier for the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang. South Korea.
He had until today to qualify after missing out on his last qualifying races.
In his last attempt he ended up stuck in Istanbul airport, having missed his plane after driving through six countries to make a connecting flight.
The former Rio Olympian managed to raise about $10,000 for his qualifying campaign, used borrowed skis and learned how to ski on roller skis because there isn’t much snow in Brisbane.
The Royal Tonga Ski Federation announced that he had accumulated the points needed in a cross country race in Iceland.
The Winter Olympics will be contested between February 9 and February 25.
There is no saying how he will do in PyeongChang.
He lost his first and only bout in taekwondo, but garnered an enormous amount of publicity for himself and Tonga when he entered the arena slathered in oil.
Along with his lack of experience, Taufatofua is also carrying more weight than the average skier.
“My body is over 40lbs heavier than most of the other skiers,” he posted on Facebook.
“They need more taro.”
The main points
- Pita Taufatofua has qualified for the Olympics again, but if he is planning to lather up this time, it will be with anti-freeze rather than coconut oil.
- Against the odds, Taufatofua, 34, has qualified as a skier for the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang. South Koa.
- He had until today to qualify after missing out on his last qualifying races.
For more information
Tongan flagbearer Pita Taufatofua qualifies for Winter Olympics
‘Oily Tongan’ flagbearer Pita Nikolas Taufatofua qualifies for Winter Olympics
