In 2016 Pita Taufatofua broke the internet as the shirtless Tongan flag bearer at the Rio Olympic games, but what most people don’t know is that the dual-sport Olympian has a long history of helping young people achieve their dreams. Now he’s helping Brisbane Youth Service to break a Guinness World Record to raise awareness of youth homelessness, a cause very close to his heart.
“Breaking a Guinness World Record has always been on my bucket list, and now I have the chance to tick this one off with Brisbane Youth Service,” said Pita.
“Not everyone in our community is aware that children as young as 12 are homeless, either sleeping rough or couch surfing, and facing all the dangers that these situations present.
“If doing 2 mins of Burpees with 1,500 other people can help to end youth homelessness, I’m in.” said Pita.
Since he was 18, Pita has worked as a youth worker in Brisbane supporting vulnerable children and young people. Pita has worked with Brisbane Youth Service for the last six years in supported accommodation, delivering programs that enable young people to break the cycle of homelessness and gain independence.
“Brisbane Youth Service gives young people a safe place, possibly the first safe place they’ve ever had.”
“Brisbane Youth Service programs empower young people with the knowledge, skills and resources to create a better life for themselves.”
“They implement programs that have been honed over many years to help young people move out of homelessness and break that cycle,” said Pita.
Despite becoming a dual-sport Olympian and taking the internet by storm, Pita still works at Brisbane Youth Service and jumped at the chance to break a Guinness World Record with Burpees for BYS.
Pita’s sporting achievements are enough to inspire anyone, and he’s hoping 1,500 people will join him and Brisbane Youth Service on 6 April 2019 to make history and raise awareness of youth homelessness at the same time.
Pita Taufatofua is now an internationally recognised sportsperson with two Olympic games under his belt in different sports, a feat only achieved by a small few. Pita will shortly announce yet another sport he is hoping to qualify in at Olympic level, this time in Tokyo in 2020.
What the next sport will be is anyone’s guess, but it’s gaining some serious interest from international sports media. If successful in competing in three Olympics in three different sports he will be the first person to ever complete the triple.
Among this hype and the long hours of training, Pita has continued to work with vulnerable young people, empowering them to reach their life goals.
To join Pita on April 6 click the following link and register for Burpees for BYS!