Look: Tongan flag bearer finally competes (no, he wasn't shirtless)

theScore Staff• ·
PYEONGCHANG-GUN, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 16: Pita Taufatofua of Tonga crosses the finish line during the Cross-Country Skiing Men's 15km Free at Alpensia Cross-Country Centre on February 16, 2018 in Pyeongchang-gun, South Korea.
Matthias Hangst / Getty Images Sport / Getty

It's easy to forget given his opening ceremony prowess, but Tongan flag bearer Pita Taufatofua is actually in PyeongChang to compete. The 34-year-old cross-country skier finally got the opportunity on Friday, making his Winter Olympic debut in the 15-kilometer freestyle.

Related - Look: Oiled-up Tongan guy is back, and better than ever

With his torso (uncharacteristically) covered - whether it was still oiled up remains a mystery - Taufatofua finished 114th out of 119 skiers, crossing the finish line over 22 minutes after the gold medalist, Dario Cologna of Switzerland.

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Regardless of his placing, simply being in the field was a massive accomplishment that Taufatofua will likely never forget.

(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)

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