Issaka The Otter: Novice from Niger is new Eddie The Eagle after super-slow sculls
Wild-card who got into a boat for the first time three months ago finishes almost two minutes behind winner
Reuters
Novice Niger rower Hamadou Djibo Issaka is being hailed as the new Eric The Eel after finishing 100 seconds behind the winner of his single sculls repechage.
The 35-year-old, who only had his first rowing lesson three months ago, had the crowd on their feet at Eton Dorney as he crawled over the line, with the commentator screaming “You can do it!”
His amazing performance brought back memories of Eric Moussambani Malonga, whose slow 100m freestyle became the unexpected hit of the 2000 Olympics, and Britain’s Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards, who finished a distant last in both his events at the 1988 Winter Games.
The Muslim Times 
Issaka is from Niger, a land locked country. Watched rowing on tv, learnt to row in 3 months and was almost just two minutes behind the winner. Well done!