In the annals of Olympic history, there are always moments that captivate the world, not only because of their sporting achievements but also because of their unexpected charm.
Yusuf Dikeç, a 51-year-old Turkish pistol shooter, provided one such moment at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
In the 10-meter air pistol mixed team competition, Dikeç and his partner, Şevval İlayda Tarhan, secured the silver medal for Turkey, the country’s first-ever Olympic shooting medal. This achievement alone was significant, but it was Dikeç’s unique approach to the competition that really caught the world’s attention.
During the final round, Dikeç was seen shooting with one hand casually tucked into his pocket, wearing a normal T-shirt and glasses — a stark contrast to his competitors, who were equipped with special equipment such as visors, blinders and elaborate hearing protection.
His relaxed demeanor and casual style quickly became a sensation on social media. Pictures and videos of his performance were shared millions of times.
Born in 1973 in Turkey’s southeastern Kahramanmaraş province, Dikeç is no stranger to shooting sports. As a noncommissioned officer in the Turkish gendarmerie, Dikeç has been a prominent figure in international shooting competitions for years.
He has won numerous awards in his career, including medals at the Mediterranean Games and top places in World Cup and European Championship competitions.
Dikeç’s participation in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris was his fifth consecutive participation in the Summer Games.
The mixed team competition took place at the Chateauroux Shooting Center, located a few hours south of Paris.
After their achievement, Dikeç and Tarhan traveled to the French capital, where they were greeted by enthusiastic fans at Champions Park, where medal winners are celebrated in the open air.
The internet was abuzz with admiration and amusement at Dikeç’s nonchalant approach. Memes and posts praising his “insane aura” and comparing him to the “main character” in a movie flooded platforms like X. Users appreciated the stark contrast between Dikeç’s minimalist gear and the elaborate gear of other competitors.
In one particularly viral post, images of Dikec were juxtaposed with those of his Serbian opponent Damir Mikec, who was equipped with a blinder, a lens and large earmuffs.
The simplicity of Dikec’s equipment — normal glasses and discreet earplugs — made his performance all the more impressive and endearing to fans.
Despite his newfound internet fame, Dikec remains down-to-earth and focused on his future in the sport. He has expressed a desire to continue competing, with an eye on the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, where he hopes to win a gold medal.
At a time when sport is often dominated by high-tech equipment and intense preparation, Dikeç’s achievement was refreshing for the fans who tuned in for Olympics around the world.