Surprise! Pita Taufatofua was not carrying Tonga’s flag at the Closing Ceremony of Rio 2016 this afternoon, instead he made a brief appearance on stage, oiled up and ready to party, much to the delight of his fans.

We saw Tonga’s flag being carried into the Maracanã Stadium by Tongan 100m sprinter Siueni Filimone (21) – while his coach was dancing for the cameras, but where was Pita?

It wasn’t hard to spot him – shirtless, glistening with oil - appearing on stage with a small group of dancing athletes.

News media and social media reporters were looking out for him. Here’s what some had to say:

First Coast News: Tonga's flag bearer is back, and he's shirtless [2] RIO DE JANEIRO — The Tonga flag bearer was back on Sunday night for the closing ceremony, and you better believe he was shirtless…. Taufatofua was arguably the winner of both the Opening and Closing Ceremonies….”

Romper: Tonga Man Returns For Closing Ceremony Because We All Needed A Proper Goodbye “The 2016 Olympics in Rio came to a close Sunday night, but not before one of the iconic athletes bid a final farewell to the world stage. After all, it wouldn't be right for "Tonga Man," 32-year old Pita Taufatofua, to leave our collective memories without giving us one last shirtless, grease-covered goodbye. Yes, Tonga Man returns during the closing ceremony, which makes sitting through the closing ceremony absolutely worth it. For those of you who may have forgotten (which is highly unlikely, because how in the world could you?) Pita Taufatofua, who represented his country of Tonga in Taekwondo, made waves during the opening ceremonies when entered the Maracanã Stadium shirtless, oiled up and ready to make a scene...There were some inspirational moments during the Olympic games in Rio, no doubt. We'll all look back and remember Simone Biles becoming the first female gymnast to win four golds in a single games. We'll all remember Phelps continuing to dominate the pool. We'll definitely remember Katie Ledecky's competition against, well, herself. And then, of course, we will remember Tonga Man, because some things just last forever.” 

BBC SPORT: Rio Olympics 2016: The most memorable moments [3]

Bustle: The Tongan Flag Bearer Showed Up For The Closing Ceremony As Oily As Ever [4] Sure, Taufatofua didn't do so well while competing in taekwondo this Olympics, but what he lacks in medals we can only imagine he will make up in coconut oil endorsement deals. His shiny, shirtless entrance at the Olympics opening ceremony two weeks ago won him instant Internet fame, and he showed Sunday night looking as oily as ever.”