Hamadou Djibo Issaka (b. 3 July 1977) is a Nigerien athlete. A competitive swimmer, Djibo Issaka trained as a Men's single sculls rower for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London to take a development spot offered to the Nigerien federation by the International Olympic Committee.

London Olympics Dorney Lake West African Eton Dorney Olympic Games Oscar Pistorius

you were awesome at tonight! Oh & here's that rower I mentioned. From Niger. What a dude.

How has Hamadou Djibo Issaka endeared so many people during the 2012 London Olympics? He competed in the Olympics...

Olympics 2012 "The Sculling Sloth" is Niger rower Hamadou Djibo Issaka (trying to out do Eddie the Eagle)

Hamadou Djibo Issaka, the Niger slow sculler, to ring the bell at Lords today?

Niger’s Hamadou Djibo Issaka, you may have been last, but you weren't least!

athletes like Hamadou Djibo Issaka of Niger are an inspiration. the so called 'underdogs' have the go for it attitude which inspires

He comes from a landlocked country and managed to participate in a water sports event, for real he is a true sports man, he is more than a winner.

Gloucester/Cape Ann My Favorite Olympic Moment: Hamadou Djibo Issaka of Niger came in last (by a lot) in each of...

Phelps and Bolt might be awesome, but Eric Moussambani and Hamadou Djibo Issaka are still my Olympic heroes.

Hope they do an underdog montage. I want to see the crowd roaring Hamadou Djibo Issaka over the line.

Hamadou Djibo Issaka (Nigerian rower) or Oscar Pistorious (South African runner) best memories of this years' Olympics. Great stories.

highlight - Niger rower Hamadou Djibo Issaka as the cliche goes, it is the taking part that counts, tremendous courage/spirit

His two golds and gold will stick out in the memory the most but Chad le Clos's dad and Hamadou Djibo Issaka Where close 2nd

That bit with hamadou Djibo issaka was so heartbreaking I can't even describe

Glad I got to watch live the BBC voted "underdog of the games" Hamadou Djibo Issaka the Niger single skull rower!

Hamadou Djibo Issaka - he embodies the Olympic ideal of "it's the taking part, not the winning"

Niger Rower Hamadou Djibo Issaka trained for just three months for the men's single sculls

One of my favourite athletes at this year's Olympics is Hamadou Djibo Issaka!

Background on Nigerian rower Hamadou Djibo Issaka. Aka the Sculling Sloth. Admirable competitor.

Allow me to introduce you to one of my heroes from the 2012 London Games. His name is Hamadou Djibo Issaka. Hamadou is from the West African country of Niger. Six months ago he was working as a gardener. Just three months ago, he took up the sport of “sculling,” (rowing). In his heat, he finished 1:39 seconds behind the winning sculler. To put that in perspective, that means that he finished three and a half football fields behind the winner! As a result, he’s been dubbed the “Sculling Sloth.” Obviously, he wasn’t in the same class as his competitors. In fact, he told a reporter after the race that he was just glad that he didn’t make his boat fall over. Although he was totally exhausted, he was determined to finish the race and he did. He said the cheers of the spectators kept him going. Friends, doesn’t that remind you of life? For some, life comes so easy and they can row with grace and speed through still waters. But for others, life seems to come hard, and requires rowing a ...

Hamadou Djibo Issaka, as featured in my blog also appears in BBC piece on also-rans

How long until Nike sponsor Hamadou Djibo Issaka and other plucky losers for just doing it?

London 2012 Olympics: Hamadou Djibo Issaka given huge ovation as he rows last over line via

Niger's slowest rower wins hearts (go, Hamadou Djibo Issaka, go, go, go! You're a bad ***

Olympic rower Hamadou Djibo Issaka (Niger) time over 2K: 9' 8". My time on rowing machine just now: 8' 38" :-)

Hamadou Djibo Issaka crossing the line to finish against the odds, Grenada's 1st Gold, for GB Mo's face when he won

Awww - great stuff. The Mirror has given Niger rower Hamadou Djibo Issaka an imitation gold medal 2012

My favourite Olympic Moment so far - the Underdog Hamadou Djibo Issaka giving it his all in the Rowing!

For all the glory of names like Phelps & Ennis I'll prob think of folks like Stephan Feck & Hamadou Djibo Issaka most

Hamadou Djibo Issaka took on the cream of the mightiest nations on earth despite taking up the sport just three months ago

Hamadou Djibo Issaka is my new hero.

Sculling Sloth wins 'gold medal': Niger rower who captured hearts of Olympics fans…

“i love a good story & this a motivational story on Niger Olympic rower Hamadou Djibo Issaka

Great story and video on Niger Olympic rower Hamadou Djibo Issaka

Hamadou the Hippo on the Thames in his journey of discovery. Great piece by

For some- like and Djibo Issaka -Olympians, glory is about showing up

For some Olympians, glory is about showing up:

Rowing with Hamadou Djibo Issaka - the written story that accompanies the video shot and edited by Scott Beveridge

My colleague went rowing with Hamadou "The Hippo" Djibo Issaka. Great video

Niger Rower Last But Loved Having just 3 months training, Hamadou Djibo Issaka, fell out of the boat during his...

Hopefully someone will be able to respond to teachers like that with Hamadou Djibo Issaka

Photo: Niger's Hamadou Djibo Issaka competes in the men's single sculls final E of the rowing event during...

I view 18 hours of Olympic footage a day & so far my favourite Olympians are Niger's Hamadou Djibo Issaka & South Africa's Oscar Pistorius.

Congrats to rower Hamadou Djibo Issaka from GREAT JOB see you in Rio 2016

I love the Olympic Athletes that have no chance to stand on that podium but never give up...they have such heart. Kudos to the crowd that cheered on Niger's Hamadou Djibo Issaka in rowing...I don't think at one point the crowd even cared that someone had already won the gold. They were on their feet for Hamadou.. he never gave up and he won my heart!

One of the stories you'll probably never see on TV from the Olympics.

True that deserve the spotlight: Oscar Pistorius and Hamadou Djibo Issaka

not his biggest fan after he ignored us. glad he enjoyed batman though, i'm more an Hamadou Djibo Issaka fan now

Niger rower Hamadou Djibo Issaka wows the crowd despite finishing dead last in the men's singles sculls.

I can't stop reading internet stories about Hamadou Djibo Issaka. For those not following the Olympics, he is a gardener in the land-locked African nation of Niger who was invited to the Olympics to take part in the Single Sculling (rowing) competition. He entered with only 3 months of training; he finished last over a minute after the race was over... but he finished to the thunderous applause of a crowd composed of many nations for his effort and never-say-die spirit. Why do all nations only get along during the Olympics? Why can't we always be like this?

The "Sculling Sloth" is getting even slower. Hamadou Djibo Issaka, the Niger rower at the London Olympics despite only three months of experience in the sport, competed again Tuesday at Dorney Lake.

Hamadou Djibo Issaka has the olympic spirit! Maybe those badminton baggers should take note...

The story of Olympic rower Hamadou Djibo Issaka is so inspiring! Just goes to show the Olympics aren't all about winning.

Congrats to rower Hamadou Djibo for a brave performance in front of the world. Maybe someone could sponsor his training?

Hamadou Djibo Issaka came in dead last in the Men’s Rowing finals. What is impressive is that he represents Niger and his first time ever in a rowboat was about several weeks before the Olympics. Will he win any medals? No. But what he does win is the hearts and respect of those that appreciate the effort required. In my book, he is a true winner. +1 to him.

Hamadou Djibo Issaka is OK in my book.

Meet Hamadou Djibo Issaka. I admit it, I love stories like this from the Novice Rower Wins Heart Of Crowd

Hamadou Djibo Issaka the Niger rower that took up rowing 3 months ago and trains in a fishing boat! 1.39 mins behind!

In the spirit of wild-card entries and strengthening "the principle of universal representation," enjoy Niger's Hamadou Djibo Issaka complete his 2000m men's single sculls heat from Sunday, July 29. He comes in last...to the cheers of a gold medalist!

Want to cry a bit reading about Hamadou Djibo Issaka. He's only been rowing for three months...

Niger's Hamadou Djibo Issaka received the roar of a home gold medallist from the Eton Dorney crowd as he finished 33rd and last in the men's single sculls.

Today has been about Zamzam Mohamed Fatah & Hamadou Djibo Issaka. Personal achievements far from home, as important as medals

Eric Moussambani and Hamadou Djibo Issaka are my heroes 💚

The most inspirational moment for me of the 2012

Someone should offer Hamadou Djibo Issaka a book deal to tell his inspiring story, it's not always about the gold. :)

"The goals of every Olympian are the same, but that doesn't mean that the definition of success is." - NBC commentator on Hamadou Djibo Issaka, the rower from Niger and last place finisher of all his heats, who began rowing three months ago and is a 35-year-old gardener in his home country. The way the British crowd treated him was priceless and is what the spirit of the Olympics should be about, I think. Bravo, Londoners and guests of Dory Pond, bravo!

This is what the Olympics are all about! Olympic Rowing: Niger Rower Hamadou Djibo Issaka Crawls Home To Roaring Crowd

This is what the Olympics are about! Hamadou Issaka Finishes To Roaring Crowd via

Hamadou Djibo Issaka is my favorite olympic athlete so far!

Hamadou Djibo Issaka is probably the most inspiring athlete to come out of the London games

"Try hard no matter what age you are and where you come from, everyone has the power." -Hamadou Djibo Issaka cc:

We just had a short chat with athlete Hamadou Djibo Issaka, and he had this to say... cc:

Hamadou Djibo Issaka of Niger. Didn't win a medal but still an Olympic Hero.

Nigerien rower Hamadou Djibo Issaka received a rapturous reception from the crowd during his event

Fair play to Hamadou Djibo Issaka. At least he can tell his grandchildren he was there. Well done sir

Hamadou Djibo Issaka- that's what the olympics are all about!

Hamadou Djibo Issaka AKA 'Issaka the Otter' who trains in a fishing boat is officially Niger's slowest rower

Although I generally feel put off by the whole "Team USA" or "Team Guinea-Bissau" thing, I am genuinely enthused by the USA's two coxed eights who won the womens race and finished fourth in the men's by a very scant 3/10s. Likewise I am enthused by the sheer guts on display by Niger's Hamadou Djibo Issaka aka (no I didn't repeat those last three letters) "The Sculling Sloth." Don't go in for the jingoistic stuff: enjoy the Jamaican sprinters ... as well as the Afghan woman sprinter. Yes, dig the USA volleyballers, but dig their play . including the "digs." And yes, Sir Steve Redgrave may have missed the point by a bit. But the people watching Mr. Issaka gave him more than anyone - however highly esteemed - could take away.

August 2, 2012 Caribana weekend! Have fun out there, be safe, take your sunscreen  and check out all the happenings under SCOOP. Couple of changes this week - of course LOTS of Olympian news which has taken over the airwaves and as well, the new CD listings will a link to the top Canadian Billboard ...

An Olympic rower, for better oar worse 

by Abdul Rahim on July 4, 2012 with 0 Comments in OLYMPIC , OTHER SPORTS

After Eric the Eel, meet Hamadou the Hippo: 'I have no technique ... only strength' In scenes redolent of Eric "the Eel" Moussambani, the swimmer from Equatorial Guinea who achieved fame by his flailing doggy paddle at the Sydney Olympics in 2000, Hamadou Djibo Issaka was greeted with a standing ovation by the 25,000-strong crowd at Eton's Dorney Lake as he hauled his way to the finish line. With London 2012 just two days old, the sustained applause that his efforts attracted is destined to become an abiding image of the Games. "I have no technique," the 35 year-old admitted. "I only have strength." I have been rowing for only three months and now I’m at the Olympic Games. I'm delighted there were so many people encouraging me. I was happy to finish under their applause. Even the announcer became a touch emotional, bellowing "You can do it", as Djibo Issaka approached the finishing line. He may have had a dubious sculling action but he was possessed of an insuperable spirit. "I have been rowing for only ...

I am without television again this summer...but I still get some of the good stories from the Olympics.

In praise of … Hamadou Djibo Issaka | Editorial: The sculler from Niger has proved a great sport, if not necessa...

Hamadou Djibo Issaka a.k.a the Sculling Sloth is by far my favorite Athlete at the Olympics, been rowing for three month and is from Niger, even though he is not anywhere near an Olympic rower but has the heart to inspire. Hope to see him in four years putting up a good fight in his heat!

Niger rower trained on fishing boat - This are the kind of stories that make this Games extraordinary!

This is an incredible story that makes my love the power of sport even more. Hamadou Djibo Issaka, now has a new fan in me!! Story -- --

Hamadou Djibo Issaka of Niger competes in the men's Single Sculls at Eton Dorney. After finishing fourth in the race, the athlete expressed his delight with the support and attention he is receiving, and revealed that he had only been rowing in a proper boat for three months. - London 2012 Olympi...

A fine piece, this on Niger’s swimmer Hamadou Djibo Issaka - who took up the sport last year and is winning hearts. -

Olympics 2012: Backwater of Niger unearths a source of pride at Dorney: The sculler Hamadou Djibo Issaka, who to...

His race with Mahe Drysdale was the best...

35-year-old Hamadou Djibo Issaka has stolen the hearts of the London 2012 crowd, after battling to a last place finish in the single sculls - just three months after he took up the sport.

Pic: Rookie Hamadou Djibo Issaka (NIG) 'ploughing on bravely' in the men's Single Sculls

London 2012 Olympics: new 'Eric the eel' Hammadou Djibo Issaka given huge ... - Telegra...

Only 3mnths exp; No mass of water to train in, my Hero today is Niger's rower Hamadou Djibo Issaka

'Sculling Sloth' back on water at London Olympics

New Eddie the Eagle = Hamadou Djibo Issaka if Niger. Taking part in the rowing. Never been in a boat until 3 months ago!

'Sculling Sloth' back on water at London Olympics - U.S. News & World Report: Forum: London Olympics Posted By: ...

Niger's Hamadou Djibo Issaka keeps smiling despite finishing last in the men's single sculls:

Olympic fans favourite Hamadou Djibo Issaka finishes last ... again

Niger's Hamadou Djibo Issaka cuts a lonely figure as he crawls home last in the E semi final - but roared on

What a trooper Hamadou Djibo Issaka from Niger is in the rowing

Niger's Hamadou Djibo Issaka wins the hearts of the crowd as he crosses the finishing line at Dorney Lake.

I believe what makes the Olympics so special is how inspirational the athletes are to us. Nigerien rower Hamadou Djibo Issaka is an excellent example. My blog post recounts Issaka's incredible story of perseverance and determination.

“Thoughts on Hamadou Djibo Issaka of Niger? Not going to lie. Teared up-he and cross were awesome

"You can do it," roared the announcer at Dorney Lake. Some in the crowd were standing, urging him to the line.

My hero of the thus far: Hamadou Djibo Issaka of Niger. Proving that we can all do anything if we just try.

Wild-card who got into a boat for the first time three months ago finishes almost two minutes behind winner

Niger is a landlocked African nation, and Issaka was a swimmer until his national sports body suggested he try rowing.

Hamadou Djibo Issaka is a Niger rower , not a Nigerian rower. Niger is a different country to...

Niger's Hamadou Djibo Issaka, a rower of just three months, was given a rapturous reception normally

Steve Redgrave is really starting to bug me where is his olympic spirit?! Not about golds!

Underdog Hamadou Djibo Issaka fails to impress (via You may be the top dog, but you're top dog to me!...

Sport LIVE Huge roar for Rower who couldn't get much slower Sport LIVE Niger's first-ever Olympic rower may have...

I see the Olympics has a new hero and one that replaces Eric the Eel as a new legend. Guys name is Hamadou Djibo Issaka and he finished 90 seconds behind the winner at the rowing. Watch the video on bbc sport..

Nice report on Hamadou Djibo Issaka, Nigeria's sculling entrant, who only learnt to row three months ago:

London 2012: Games’ slowest rower wins over hearts for effort: Crowds roared for Hamadou Djibo Issaka, who only ...

London 2012 Olympics: Sir Steve Redgrave rapped for complaining about Djibo ... - Daily Mail

is Eric the Eel of Olympics, or Eddie the Eagle.

Novice rower wins hearts of Eton crowd

'Eric the Eel' of rowing finishes nearly two minutes after race winner

Rowing: The Sculling Sloth wins the hearts of everyone at Dorney. My Times report on Niger's slowcoach sculler:

Hamadou Djibo Issaka-- the Nigerian Eric the Eel of rowing. Wow. That's pretty moving.

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