Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikec, 51, has gone viral for his cool and casual demeanor during the 2024 Paris Olympics. Competing in the mixed team 10m air pistol event on July 30, Dikec and his partner Sevval Ilayda Tarhan won the silver medal, Turkey’s first in Olympic shooting.
A viral photo shows Dikec wearing a T-shirt, with one hand casually in his pocket, sporting everyday glasses, and a nonchalant expression. Fans compared him to an ordinary person participating in the Olympics.
In contrast, other competitors wore specialized gear like custom glasses, large earmuffs, and tinted lenses. A comparison photo features South Korea’s Kim Yeji, who also won silver in the 10m air pistol, looking composed in her professional shooting attire.
Dikec, not a newcomer to the Olympics, has participated since 2008. He explained to Radyo Gol, “I shoot with both eyes, unlike most shooters who use one. That’s why I don’t need much equipment. I find shooting with both eyes better and more comfortable.”
His partner Tarhan also wore protective gear and had her hair braided in Turkey’s national colors. She too shot with one hand in her pocket.
Despite his laid-back style, Dikec aims for gold in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. “I hope to win a gold medal next time,” he said on Tuesday.
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