Vanuatu rower

While fans watching the Games were going gaga over Tonga’s Pita Taufatofua, Rii carried the flag shirtless in Tokyo and appeared to be just as buff and chiseled as the Tongan taekwondo star.

"Indeed, in view of his sporting performances, Rio was chosen to carry the colors of Vanuatu during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games. He will be the first rower to do this," the Vanuatu Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee said in a press release.

Social media users tried to warn Taufatofua that Rii was coming for everything.

Riilio Rii was up against five other strong sailors from Greece, New Zealand, Peru, Monaco and Dominican Republic in the second heat of the Men’s single scull competition. Rii was placed sixth with a time of 8.00.98 minutes – just over 1.01 minute behind the winner from Greece, Ntouskos Stefanos, who clocked 6.59.49 minutes.

Originally a national age group soccer player in Vanuatu, Luigi Teilemb took to the water just a couple of years ago.

ABC reports his progress has been swift, but at the Asia-Oceania qualifying regatta in April he just missed out on an Olympic place by right.

But that wasn't the end of the story, because coach Matt Cameron says Luigi's efforts have since been recognised with an Olympic Athlete's Scholarship and he's off to Brazil.