Famous Nigerien Athletes

Aminatou Seyni is a prominent Nigerien track and field sprinter, holding national records in the 200 meters and 400 meters. She has competed at various prestigious events including the African Games and World Athletics Championships, showcasing her talent in sprinting. Despite facing challenges such as the IAAF's regulations on testosterone levels, she has persevered and continued to excel in her sport. Seyni's determination and skill have earned her a respected reputation in the world of track and field, culminating in her participation at the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Abdoul Razak Issoufou Alfaga, known as Razak Alfaga, is a prominent Nigerien taekwondo athlete with a successful career. He overcame initial obstacles to pursue his passion for taekwondo and achieved significant milestones in the sport. Alfaga won gold at the 2015 African Games and secured a silver at the African Olympic Qualifiers, leading to his participation in the 2016 Rio Olympics. He continued to excel, winning a gold medal at the 2021 African Taekwondo Championships and competing in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Moriam Seun Adigun is a talented athlete who has excelled in both track and field and bobsledding. She competed in the 100 meters hurdles at the 2012 Summer Olympics and later founded the Nigerian bobsled team in 2016. Adigun made history by representing Nigeria in the two-women bobsled event at the 2018 Winter Olympics, becoming one of the first Winter Olympians from the country. Notably, she holds the distinction of being the first African athlete to participate in both the Summer and Winter Olympics.

Mamane Sani Ali is a Nigerien sprinter known for his participation in the men's 100 metres event at the 2000 Summer Olympics. As a professional athlete, he dedicated himself to rigorous training and competition, showcasing his speed and agility on the track. His performance at the Olympics demonstrated his commitment to excellence and his ability to compete at the highest level of international athletics. Mamane Sani Ali's career as a sprinter is marked by his determination, skill, and passion for the sport.

Adamou Allassane is a Nigerien Olympic middle-distance runner who achieved recognition for his participation in the men's 1500 meters event at the 1984 Summer Olympics. He showcased his talent and dedication by delivering a commendable performance with a time of 3:56.43 in the first heat. Allassane's career as a competitive athlete demonstrates his commitment to representing his country on an international platform and his pursuit of excellence in the field of middle-distance running.

Inni Aboubacar is a renowned Nigerien long-distance runner known for his remarkable achievements in the sport. He represented his country at the 1988 Summer Olympics, showcasing his exceptional talent and dedication in the men's marathon event. Throughout his professional career, Aboubacar has displayed a strong work ethic and commitment to his training, earning recognition for his endurance and skill as a long-distance runner. His participation in prestigious competitions like the Olympics highlights his status as a respected athlete in the running community.

Rabiou Guero Gao is a prominent Nigerien runner known for his expertise in middle-distance and long-distance running. He has successfully represented Niger at the 2012 Summer Olympics, showcasing his exceptional athletic abilities on the global stage. With a focus on various disciplines within running, Gao has established himself as a skilled and dedicated athlete, consistently striving for excellence in his professional career. His participation in prestigious events like the Olympics highlights his commitment to the sport and his determination to achieve success at the highest level.

Rachidatou Seini Maikido is a Nigerien track and field athlete known for specializing in the 400 metres event. She represented Niger at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, setting both her personal best and a national record of 1:03.19. Although she finished last in her heat during the preliminary round, she displayed determination by completing the race. Despite not advancing to the semi-finals, Seini Maikido's competitive spirit and dedication to her sport have made her a respected figure in the track and field community.

Nafissa Souleymane is a Nigerien sprinter known for her participation in the 100 metres competition at the 2012 Summer Olympics. Despite running the preliminaries in 12.81 seconds, she did not qualify for Round 1. Souleymane's professional career highlights her dedication to sprinting and her ambition to compete at high-level competitions like the Olympics. Through her hard work and commitment to the sport, she has showcased her talent and determination on the track, inspiring others with her athletic abilities.

Ousseini Djibo Idrissa is a Nigerien sprinter known for his participation in the men's 400 meters event at the 2016 Summer Olympics. He has showcased his athletic prowess on the international stage, representing his country with dedication and skill. Through rigorous training and competition, Idrissa has demonstrated his commitment to the sport of sprinting, aiming for excellence in every race he competes in. His achievements and contributions to athletics serve as an inspiration to aspiring athletes in Niger and beyond.

Abdou Manzo is a Nigerien long-distance runner who has competed in multiple Summer Olympics, including the 1988, 1992, and 1996 games. He holds the Nigerien national record in the marathon with a time of 2:25:05 set in 1988. Manzo also had the honor of being the flagbearer for Niger at the 1996 Olympics. In 2009, he was recognized as a "former glory of Nigerien athletics" at an event held to honor the death of SE M. Adamou Djermakoye.

Hassan Karimou is a prominent Nigerien long-distance runner known for his participation in the men's marathon at the 1988 Summer Olympics. He has showcased his athletic prowess and endurance on an international platform, representing his country with dedication and skill. Karimou's professional life is defined by his commitment to long-distance running, where he has demonstrated perseverance, strength, and determination in pursuing excellence in his sport. His participation in the Olympics reflects his passion for running and his ability to compete at the highest level of competition.

Mariama Mamoudou Ittatou is a Nigerien sprinter who has competed in various track and field events at international competitions. She participated in the 2016 Summer Olympics and the 2016 African Championships in Athletics in the women's 400 meters event. She was also scheduled to compete at the 2014 Summer Youth Olympics but did not start the girls' 800 meters event. In addition, she competed in the women's 200 meters event at the 2018 African Championships and the women's 400 meters event at the 2019 African Games.

Rachida Mahamane is a Nigerien long-distance runner who made history as the first woman to represent Niger at the Olympics. She competed in the Women's 5000 metres at the 1996 Summer Olympics, showcasing her dedication and talent on a global stage. Mahamane's professional career highlights her commitment to athletics and her determination to break barriers for women in sports. Her participation in the Olympics serves as a testament to her hard work, skill, and perseverance as an athlete.

Haissa Ali Garba is a Nigerien sprinter who competed in the women's 400 meters at the 2000 Summer Olympics. She demonstrated her athletic prowess on a global stage, showcasing her speed and skill in track and field events. Garba's participation in the Olympics highlights her dedication to sports and her commitment to excelling at the highest level of competition. Her performance at the prestigious event signifies her talent and hard work in the field of sprinting.

Hassane Illiassou represented Niger as an athlete at the 1992 Summer Olympics held in Barcelona, Spain. He competed in the athletics events, showcasing his skills and dedication on an international platform. Illiassou's professional life is characterized by his commitment to sports and his pursuit of excellence in track and field. His participation in the Olympics reflects his hard work and talent as an athlete, inspiring others with his performance on the global stage.

Moussa Daweye is a retired Nigerien athlete who specialized in track and field events. He represented Niger at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, marking his international debut. Daweye's professional life was dedicated to training and competing in athletics, showcasing his talent and skills on the global stage. Despite the challenges faced by Niger in previous Olympic Games, Daweye's participation in 1984 symbolized a return to the sporting arena and a commitment to representing his country at the highest level.

Harouna Garba is a Nigerien track hurdler who represented Niger at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Competing in the men's 400m hurdles, he ran in the first heat against top athletes but finished last, failing to advance to the semi-finals. His personal best time of 55.14 seconds was not enough to secure a spot in the next round. Despite this setback, Garba's participation in the Olympics showcased his dedication to the sport and his commitment to representing his country on the international stage.

Salamtou Hassane is a Nigerien sprinter known for her specialization in the 400 meters event. She represented Niger at the 2004 Summer Olympics in the Women's 400 meters, setting a national record time of 1:03.28. Despite being knocked out in the heats, her performance was noteworthy. However, in the 2008 Summer Olympics, Rachidatou Seini Maikido surpassed Hassane's record with a time of 1:03.19. Hassane's professional career is marked by her achievements in sprinting and her representation of Niger on the international stage.