Tonga's Rio flag-bearer steps out of his 'comfort zone' with Olympics skiing bid
Pita Taufatofua wants to inspire people to be bold enough to 'try something completely new'
Pita Taufatofua, the taekwondo fighter who made headlines as Tonga's coconut-oil covered flag-bearer in the Rio Summer Olympics, says you shouldn't afraid to try something completely new — even if you fall flat on your face.
This summer, the 33-year-old became Tonga's first taekwondo athlete to compete at the Olympic level, and while he didn't earn a medal for his Polynesian home country, his Olympic dreams aren't over yet.
He now hopes to become Tonga's first Olympics cross-country skier.
Speaking to CBC News Network's Heather Hiscock, Taufatofua explained why he's starting from scratch with a totally different sport.
"I'm all about pushing myself to that next level and, more importantly, about showing other people that they, too, can push themselves to that next level to get out of their comfort zones and just try something completely new," he said.
People shouldn't be afraid to try something "just because of criticism or what other people think or because it's, you know, going to be diffuclt."
And it's definitely going to be difficult. Taufatofua is just starting out and already he's aiming to compete in the World Ski Championships next year. He'll be training in Germany starting in January.
"I'm not trying to trick myself or anything; it's gonna be hard," he said. "These guys have 20-plus years experience on me."
In a Twitter video announcing his plans, he falls forward into the snow as he skis.
Breaking news! <br><br>🇹🇴 flag bearer Pita Taufatofua goes from taekwondo to skiing and reveals his plan for <a href="https://twitter.com/pyeongchang2018">@pyeongchang2018</a>! <a href="https://t.co/dKb9FQwDPt">pic.twitter.com/dKb9FQwDPt</a>
—@olympicchannelHis goal is to qualify for the Winter Games in Pyeongchang in 2018.
If he succeeds, he'll be the second Tongan athlete to compete at the Winter Olympics. Bruno Banani became the first in 2014 when he finished 32nd in men's luge.
Heavyweight boxer Paea Wolfgramm remains the nation's sole Olympic medallist, winning silver at the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta
But if Taufatofua makes it to Pyeongchang, he probably won't don the Tonga skirt and bare chest that made him a viral star at Rio 2016.
"It's a lot colder over there, so I'll either need a much thicker layer of coconut oil or something a little more interesting," he said, laughing. "But you guys are just going to have to wait and see."