Riilio "Rio" Rii[1][2] (born 22 June 1994) is a Ni-Van rower.[3] He was the flagbearer of Vanuatu at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo,[4] earning attention for his shirtless, oiled get-up compared to Tongan fighter Pita Taufatofua.[5] In the men's single sculls race, Rii finished 30th overall.[6]
Personal information | |
---|---|
Full name | Riilio Rii |
Born | Port Vila, Vanuatu | 22 June 1994
Height | 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) |
Weight | 79 kg (174 lb) |
Sport | |
Country | ![]() |
Sport | Rowing |
Event | Men's Single Sculls |
Career
editHe started in the sport at 19, having taken up cricket before, and has won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Rowing Championships,[7] as well as appearing at three World Rowing Championships.[8]
References
edit- ^ "Rowing - RII Riilio". Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Tokyo Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Archived from the original on 28 July 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
- ^ "'Shirtless Tongan' makes Olympic history | NBC Olympics". nbcolympics.com. Archived from the original on 28 July 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
- ^ "Sport: Vanuatu rower Rio Rii begins training stint in Queensland". RNZ. 14 January 2020. Archived from the original on 4 August 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
- ^ "Rower Rillio Rio Rii to carry Vanuatu's flag at Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony". Loop Vanuatu. 9 July 2021.
- ^ "Vanuatu's Riilio Rii steals hearts at Tokyo Olympics as he carries country's flag". Fox News. Archived from the original on 9 August 2021. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
- ^ Natoga, Anasilini. "Rower Rillio Rii on his path to Tokyo 2020". Vanuatu Daily Post. Archived from the original on 29 June 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
- ^ "Rio to Tokyo: Vanuatu rower's inspiring Olympic journey". RNZ. Archived from the original on 9 August 2021. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
- ^ "Rillio Rii". World Rowing. Archived from the original on 9 August 2021. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
External links
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