TOMMY TIHONI, THE KING OF PAOTI

written by Tiare January 30, 2017

TOMMY TIHONI, THE KING OF PAOTI

His paoti and his scenic ease attracted the jury. Tommy Tihoni of the troupe Pupu tuha’a pae was elected best dancer of the Heiva 2016. Meet with this passionate artist, on the plates of Toata.

©Stéphane Mailion

“When I heard my name, I was too proud of myself, the emotion was there, I went up there on my cloud, and I think I’m still on my little cloud.” At 20, Tommy Tihoni humbly realizes that he won wednesday night at the evening of the winners of the Heiva, the title of best dancer. A coveted title every year.

Tommy takes his first dance steps with friends, in Tamariki Poerani dance group by Makau Foster. A hobby for after classes. Tommy is now passionate about Ori Tahiti. This year it was with Pupu Tuha’a Pae dance group that he participated in the Heiva. He returned to the boards of Toata, even where on wednesday evening, his dream fulfilled.

Tommy admits to being very surprised at the announcement of the results. If physically, the young man has the body of an athlete, he acknowledges not to have had a very advanced training. The dancer did “a bit of running and cardio training,” he explains. For him the difference is played with the mind to best express the theme of the solo passage.

Tommy Tihoni, with his fellow dancers at the Festival of Pacific Arts in Guam, Micronesia, in May of last year, traveled to Toata for Heiva. He has also won the ori tahiti nui world championship and has been crowned world champion 2016 with Lehia Mama.

To start his career, Tommy took part in the election of mister Papeete 2014 and was elected second successor, which was a great experience for him before dedicating himself to Ori Tahiti.To dance and express one’s attachment to culture is its leitmotiv. The best dancer 2016 will now enjoy his family, before joining Tahiti Ora for shows dance group.