Pita Taufatofua

Pita Taufatofua, ranked 157th in the world, had an unfortunate pairing in the first round with the division's No 2 seed, Sajjad Mardani of Iran.

Mardani demolished Taufatofua 16-1 amid fans chanting "Tonga!" in the arena. Taufatofua described his opponent's attacking leg as "a nightmare" and said his slow start in the fight cost him.

He said he wasn't expecting the enormous reaction to his appearance in the opening ceremony and hinted that he might have something special - but quick - planned for the closing celebrations.

RNZ reports the 32 year old has been one of the most talked about athletes in Rio, since his coconut-oiled body made global headlines during the Games opening ceremony.

The Oceania taekwondo champion has since made a string of media appearances and created countless column inches online.

He said despite the intense spotlight that has shone on him in Rio he's confident it hasn't affected his training and preparation.

"I feel ready. I mean it's time - it's been a long time coming (and) I'm just happy to get up there and compete," he said.

RNZ reports the 32 year old taekwondo athlete was the talk of the internet and many viewers around the world after the cameras zoomed in on his coconut-oiled body at the Maracana Stadium.

Some viewers joked that all gold medals be handed over to Tonga immediately.

The Oceania champion has since featured in media all over the world and even managed a picture backstage on America's Today Show with Brazilian supermodel Adriana Lima.

Team Tonga Chef de Mission Michael Bloomfield said the global reaction took them by surprise.

Taufatofua became the first breakout star of this year's Olympic games after appearing shirtless with a traditional tupenu wrap and a shark tooth necklace in honor of his island home during the Parade of Nations.

His appearance provided a huge roar in the stadium when he appeared on the stadium video camera and prompted a collective meltdown on Twitter after he appeared with little more than his traditional Tongan "ta'ovala," a huge amount of coconut oil, flip-flops and a wide smile.