'Topless Tongan' targets history at third straight Olympics

The famous ‘Topless Tongan’ Pita Taufatofua has targeted sprint canoeing as his third event across three straight Olympic Games.

Taufatofua made international fame after breaking tradition and walking out as Tonga’s flagbearer at the 2016 Rio Olympics topless and oiled up.

The humble taekwondo fighter became a celebrity overnight.

The charismatic Tongan then won hearts all around the world in 2018 when he once again braved the cold and walked out topless at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.

He also became Tonga’s first ever Olympic skier.

This time the athlete is looking to compete in a sport that resonates with his culture, but it could be his hardest challenge yet.

There are only 12 places available in the K1 200m event for Tokyo 2020, but Taufatofua is confident.

“I want to be a sprint kayaker,” he told the BBC.

“It’s a sport that’s close to my heart as it’s what my ancestors did for thousands of years when they colonised the Polynesian islands.”

Taufatofua has used crowdfunding to help pay for his last two Olympic efforts.

But this time he hopes to raise the money seeking major backers to cover an estimated $220,000 for the next 15 months.

The money would also help him afford a new kayak, as the recreational kayak he is using is different from the size and weight used at the Olympics.

“A new kayak could be anything up to $10,000, but I’m also looking for a partner or two that wants to be part of this journey and believes in what we’re doing.”

If he were to make Tokyo 2020 he would become the first man this century to compete in three Olympic sports.