Yusuf Dikec, a Turkish shooter who has gone viral because of his calmness in competing at the 2024 Olympic Games where he won silver.
DeKaike is pictured on social media firing with one hand in his pocket, wearing a plain T-shirt, dark glasses and maintaining an impassive look. He looks like a laid-back grandpa but Dikec has been to all summer Olympics from 2008.
Dikec together with Sevval Ilayda Tarhan made history after becoming first ever athletes from turkey to win mixed team 10m air pistol event on Tuesday where Damir Mikec and Zorana Arunovic from Serbia claimed silver while India won gold. The shooting competition took place in Chateauroux, central France, and medalists were cheered on Wednesday at the Parc de Champions in Paris. First Olympic medal ever won in this sport was Manu Barker and Sarabjot Singh that fetched it a bronze.
Different from him though, Tarhan rocked protective ear plugs with masks over her face blended with braids characterized by Turkish flag colors as well as shooting with one hand inside his pocket.
When asked about his hopes for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Yusuf Dikec said he wanted to win a gold medal. “I hope to win the gold medal next in Los Angeles,” he said.
He took advantage of his new-found internet fame by sharing several Turkish memes about himself through Instagram (It was posted yesterday). However, today at the Parc de Champions, they were celebrated as medalists for the shooting competition held at Chateauroux in central France.
Shooters have flexibility around their attire during tournament play; many choose goggles to cut out glare or eye patches for better focus.
Dikec had yellow ear muffs on which was not evident during the final so as to minimize distractions. Similarly there were no eye wears or muffs or goggles for the winner of gold medal in men’s 50 meter rifle three positions.
In fact, South Korean pistol shooter Kim Ye-ji has caught attention on social media for her confident attitude and theatrical gestures, according to the “official Olympics” account.
Below are some selected tweets about Yusuf Dikec:
One user on social media, who drew comparison between him and a Hollywood character John Wick because of his natural shooting skills.
“South Korea had a shooter in costume; Turkey sent a 51-year-old shooter out there with his hands tucked into his pockets wearing a shirt and that Turkish dude won silver,” another user wrote.
Another one wrote “Girls pack up and travel vs men pack up and travel” referring to Yusuf Dikec’s casual style.
“I guess I will have to watch more closely the Olympic pistol events. First we have Kim Yeji from South Korea. He is such a badass. Then there is Yusuf Dikeç from Turkey. He just casually went out and won silver.” One. Hands in pockets!
At the same time, India’s Manu Bhaker became the first Indian to win two Olympic medals (post-independence) in one Games.
