Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikec, along with Sevval Ilayda Tarhan, clinched the silver medal in the mixed team 10-meter air pistol event.
Turkish pistol shooter Yusuf Dikec has become a sensation on social media for his laid-back demeanor while securing a silver medal at the 2024 Olympics.
Widely shared images depict Dikec shooting in a T-shirt, one hand in his pocket, wearing a standard pair of glasses, and maintaining an expressionless face. His relaxed appearance has drawn comparisons to an everyday person competing at the Olympics or even a hitman.
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At 51, Dikec is a seasoned Olympian, having competed in every Summer Olympics since 2008.
Some memes highlight the contrast between Dikec and his Serbian rival, Damir Mikec, who sported a blinder over one eye, a lens over the other, and large ear defenders.
Dikec, along with Sevval Ilayda Tarhan, clinched the silver medal in the mixed team 10-meter air pistol event on Tuesday, marking Turkey’s first-ever Olympic shooting medal.
Gold was secured by Serbia’s Mikec and Zorana Arunovic, while India’s Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh took home the bronze.
Unlike Dikec, his teammate Tarhan competed with large ear defenders, a visor, and braids in the Turkish flag’s red and white colors. She also shot with one hand in her pocket.
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Dikec finished 13th in his individual event and is now looking forward to the 2028 Games. “I hope next in Los Angeles for a gold medal,” he said on Tuesday.
What does he think about going viral? Dikec appears to be enjoying the attention, sharing a compilation of Turkish-language memes about him on his Instagram page.
The shooting events took place about three hours south of Paris. Dikec and Tarhan traveled to the French capital on Wednesday, where they received a warm welcome at the Champions Park, an open-air venue for medalists to celebrate with fans.
Why didn’t Dikec wear more gear?
Shooters have some flexibility in their competition attire.
Many shooters at the Olympic range in Chateauroux, central France, opt for visors to reduce light glare or blinders over one eye to improve focus while aiming.
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Contrary to the viral image’s suggestion, Yusuf Dikec did wear yellow earplugs to block out distractions during the final. They just weren’t visible from the angle of the viral photo.
Similarly, Chinese rifle shooter Liu Yukun won a gold medal on Thursday wearing earplugs but no blinder or visor.