Hamadou Djibo Issaka, London 2012's ' Eric The Eel', receives huge ovation - after finishing last

July 30, 2012: Niger's Hamadou Djibo Issaka is pictured after competing in the men's single sculls semi-finals of the rowing event during the London 2012 Olympic Games, at Eton Dorney. He finished last by a distance. (GETTY IMAGES)

Niger's rookie rower Hamadou Djibo Issaka received another huge ovation from the crowd at Eton Dorney as he finished last in this morning's E semi-final.

The 35-year-old, who has been compared to the Equatorial Guinea swimmer Eric 'The Eel' Moussambani, finished one minute and 10 seconds behind his nearest rival.

Djibo Issaka was still around 300 metres from the finish line when the race was won by So Sau Wah from Hong Kong - and his times are getting slower.

After finishing his heat in eight minutes and 25 seconds, Djibo Issaka today crawled home in nine minutes and seven seconds.

The announcer at Eton Dorney praised him for "ploughing on bravely".

Djibo Issaka has one race left at the Olympics - the F final, which will decide the last places in the 33-athlete single scull field.

PA