text: RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — The Tonga flag-bearer who became an unexpected sensation at the Rio Games after marching shirtless into the opening ceremonies has lost his chance for a gold medal in the men’s taekwondo heavyweight division.
  
  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.
  
  Taufatofua 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.
  
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  “Don’t blink or you’ll miss it,” he warned.
summary: The Tonga flag-bearer who marched shirtless into the opening ceremonies has lost his chance for a gold medal.