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An Olympic rower, for better oar worse
Niger’s Issaka on slow boat to glory at London games
By Christina Boyle / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Published: Wednesday, August 1, 2012, 2:21 PM
Updated: Wednesday, August 1, 2012, 2:21 PM
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DAMIEN MEYER/AFP/Getty Images
Niger's Hamadou Djibo Issaka, “the sculling sloth," competes in Olympic rowing.
LONDON — A gardener from the land-locked African nation of Niger could be crowned the worst Olympian of the 2012 Games — but he’s not complaining.
Hamadou Djibo Issaka has earned himself the nickname "the sculling sloth" after finishing consistently last in his three rowing events — and getting slower each time he takes to the water.
But what he lacks in skill, he makes up for in enthusiasm, and the 35-year-old athlete is winning over legions of fans in the process.
"I have no technique," the 35-year-old confessed with a laugh after a recent race. "I've done only three months (of training) so I will get more technique."
Issaka is the first person from Niger ever to ever compete in the Olympic Games and he hopes his efforts will inspire others in his homeland to take up a sport.
Issaka, who works as a gardener in his homeland, swam competitively for his country before being sent to Egypt in November to attend a camp for African nations looking for an Olympic wildcard entry to the London Olympics.
He made the cut and headed back to Niger to start training, but it was anything but smooth sailing.
"When I first got into a rowing boat, I fell into the water," Issaka said.
"But as I am a good swimmer, it was no problem."
Issaka first worked on his technique in an old fishing boat and tested out an Olympic rowing boat for the first time this week.
He is now one of 33 competitors in the Single Sculling competition and ended up in a very distant last place in each race, nearly two minutes behind the rest of the pack, and very out of breath.
“Give him a huge cheer for plowing on," the announcer said as he worked his way toward the finish line Tuesday.
His determination has made the father of two a crowd favorite, and the roars of support have spurred him on.
"It is fantastic to see the reaction of the crowd," he said. "That was very nice. It gave me courage to keep going."
Issaka has one more race Friday, held in Eton Dorney, Windsor, which will decide who finishes in the last three places in his event.
But he is already setting his sights on Rio 2016.
"I hope to train for it in Niger," he said.
"Maybe the new boats will be there, so I will be able to do it."
Niger’s Issaka on slow boat to glory at London games
By Christina Boyle / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Published: Wednesday, August 1, 2012, 2:21 PM
Updated: Wednesday, August 1, 2012, 2:21 PM
#static{height:38px;} #static td{vertical-align:top !important;} #static td td{vertical-align:middle !important;} #static .fb-like iframe{width:450px !important;} #static:after{content:".";display:block;height:0;c lear:both;visibility:hidden;}
DAMIEN MEYER/AFP/Getty ImagesNiger's Hamadou Djibo Issaka, “the sculling sloth," competes in Olympic rowing.
LONDON — A gardener from the land-locked African nation of Niger could be crowned the worst Olympian of the 2012 Games — but he’s not complaining.
Hamadou Djibo Issaka has earned himself the nickname "the sculling sloth" after finishing consistently last in his three rowing events — and getting slower each time he takes to the water.
But what he lacks in skill, he makes up for in enthusiasm, and the 35-year-old athlete is winning over legions of fans in the process.
"I have no technique," the 35-year-old confessed with a laugh after a recent race. "I've done only three months (of training) so I will get more technique."
Issaka is the first person from Niger ever to ever compete in the Olympic Games and he hopes his efforts will inspire others in his homeland to take up a sport.
Issaka, who works as a gardener in his homeland, swam competitively for his country before being sent to Egypt in November to attend a camp for African nations looking for an Olympic wildcard entry to the London Olympics.
He made the cut and headed back to Niger to start training, but it was anything but smooth sailing.
"When I first got into a rowing boat, I fell into the water," Issaka said.
"But as I am a good swimmer, it was no problem."
Issaka first worked on his technique in an old fishing boat and tested out an Olympic rowing boat for the first time this week.
He is now one of 33 competitors in the Single Sculling competition and ended up in a very distant last place in each race, nearly two minutes behind the rest of the pack, and very out of breath.
“Give him a huge cheer for plowing on," the announcer said as he worked his way toward the finish line Tuesday.
His determination has made the father of two a crowd favorite, and the roars of support have spurred him on.
"It is fantastic to see the reaction of the crowd," he said. "That was very nice. It gave me courage to keep going."
Issaka has one more race Friday, held in Eton Dorney, Windsor, which will decide who finishes in the last three places in his event.
But he is already setting his sights on Rio 2016.
"I hope to train for it in Niger," he said.
"Maybe the new boats will be there, so I will be able to do it."
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