PARIS: Turkish Olympic shooting silver medallist Yusuf Dikec has become an internet sensation due to his laid-back style, despite being unfazed by his newfound fame.
Yusuf Dikec and his partner Sevval Ilayda Tarhan won silver on Tuesday for Turkey in the mixed team 10m air pistol event, losing to Serbia in the gold medal match. However, it was Dikec’s relaxed posture that caught attention as much as the result. Wearing standard glasses, a team T-shirt, and casually slinging his left hand in his pocket, Dikec stood out.
Unlike other competitors, he notably lacked the specialized equipment typical for this precise event, such as headphones, special lenses, or a hat. “Be cool like Yusuf Dikec. Congratulations on winning the silver medal in such a cool way,” wrote France’s embassy to Turkey on X in Turkish. Other users made references to James Bond, with some memes adding a cigarette to emphasize his relaxed demeanor.
In an interview with Turkish channel TGRT Haber, Dikec explained his unique shooting technique of keeping both eyes open, which surprised even the referees. “My shooting technique is one of the rarest in the world. I shoot with both eyes open,” he said. He attributed his success to rigorous preparation, saying, “This year we prepared a lot and worked a lot… this success belongs to all of Turkey.”
Turkish Shooter Becomes Internet Sensation with Laid-Back Style
Social media users also noted that his partner, Tarhan, adopted a similar hand-in-pocket stance, although she wore headphones and a visor. Turkish Sports Minister Osman Askin Bak congratulated Dikec on social media, posting a photo of him recreating his now “legendary pose.”
Clutching a Turkish flag and their medals, Dikec and Tarhan celebrated their victory at the Champions Park at the Trocadero complex in Paris on Wednesday.
