That Kiribati weightlifter’s Olympic dance has been turned into a green screen masterpiece
Rule number one of the internet: never stand in front of a green background
Remember David Katoatau, the Olympic weightlifter who recently dazzled Rio with his fancy footwork? Well, his twirl and zumba just got even better thanks to the magic of video editing.
First, treat yourself to another peak at the original choreography.
And now, sit back and feast your eyes on this superb green screen edit from Twitter’s Mike Ginn (@shutupmikeginn)…
First Katoatau’s celebrating his lift to the accompaniment of a 1920s swing band…
… Next he’s partying like it’s Ministry of Sound 1999…
…Before finally blasting his shapes into deep space.
He may have only finished sixth in the men's +105kg Group B final, but it’s videos like this that make him a winner to his home nation of Kiribati, a remote island in the pacific.
Why? Katoatau pulled out his best moves at Rio 2016 to raise awareness of the threat climate change posed to his homeland.
Most people don’t know where Kiribati is,” Katoatau told Reuters. “I want people to know more about us so I use weightlifting, and my dancing, to show the world."
If you want more publicity then there's still a few spare slots on Strictly, Katoatau.
Authors
Thomas is Digital editor at BBC Science Focus. Writing about everything from cosmology to anthropology, he specialises in the latest psychology, health and neuroscience discoveries. Thomas has a Masters degree (distinction) in Magazine Journalism from the University of Sheffield and has written for Men’s Health, Vice and Radio Times. He has been shortlisted as the New Digital Talent of the Year at the national magazine Professional Publishers Association (PPA) awards. Also working in academia, Thomas has lectured on the topic of journalism to undergraduate and postgraduate students at The University of Sheffield.