An Olympic Shooter From Türkiye Wins Silver, And Becomes An Internet Sensation

Going to the Olympics to compete requires dedication, discipline, and strategic planning.

It all begins from the long-term preparation for athletes, which may require years of training, skill development, and conditioning. Then, there is the medium-term preparation, where athletes intensify their techniques and strategies. And lastly, they also need to undergo short-term preparation, which can include taper their training to peak performance, mental conditioning, and more.

After all, the Olympic Games are a celebration of athletic excellence, unity, and global camaraderie.

Athletes that compete are representing their nations, seen by billions of people, and inspire millions worldwide.

And this time, during the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, a 51-year-old man managed to captivate the internet after a photo of his competing was shared widely.

His name is Yusuf Dikeç, a Turkish sport shooter competing in the pistol events.

In the Olympics, in the 10 meter pistol competition, athletes must fire their pistols with one hand only, unsupported. The air pistol for it must have a maximum weight of 1.49 kilograms (3.3069 lbs), with a 0.449 centimeter (0.177-inch) caliber. The pistol must also fit inside a 420 x 200 x 50 (all millimeters) box.

Olympian shooters are told to wear special clothing designed to reduce stress, and pose no distraction.

Eye protection is also essential.

Additionally, non-shooting eye can be covered by an item not wider than 30 millimeters. These specialized glasses are usually tinted to help with glare, and limit the sight to just one eye so the wearer doesn't have to keep his/her non-dominant eye closed to aim.

In other words, shooting athletes in the Olympics may wear a lot of gear.

But Dikeç is portraying himself as a no-frills person.

Unlike other professional shooters, the Olympian competed with extremely minimum gear.

At the time, he and his teammate Şevval İlayda Tarhan were competing in the 10 meter air pistol mixed team event.

In the photos that have been uploaded to the internet and went viral soon after, Dikeç is seen taking his aim, while wearing only his prescription glasses, ordinary earplugs, while having his left hand in his pocket.

And that didn't stop him from his Olympic glory.

He and Tarhan won silver, after losing only to the Serbian team.

His unconventional approach during the final earned Dikeç the internet's attention as well.

"This is what you call aura," an X user said.

"51-year-old Yusuf Dikec of Turkey shows up without any specialist equipment for shooting, looking like he just came out of the crowd and gave it a go… he just casually took home silver at the Olympics."

"Did Turkey send a hitman to the Olympics?" said another.

"Dude looks like he just decided to join the Olympics when he woke up this morning," joked another user.

"He came in with both eyes open and one of his hand in his pocket."

"That's a 51 year old man who is here to make a statement and sure he left with something... a silver medal."

"Real life James Bond goes crazy," one person commented on Reddit.

"He didn't win the gold on purpose because it'd have been too obvious," a second person joked.

Long story short, Dikeç, who went 'first-person shooter' mode in the competition, earned himself and his teammate a podium with the most casual approach.

Dikeç has become the internet's favorite athlete, as one user wrote on Twitter.

"I love how everyone uses specialized lenses for shooting to avoid blur and increase precision," said another user at X.

"But then Turkey sends out a guy who looks like he just picked up the gun for fun and wins silver."

Dikeç is like "the coolest Olympian around," praised another.

Tracing back, Yusuf Dikec has a long list of experience with a pistol.

He is a retired non-commissioned officer of the Turkish Gendarmerie and a member of Jandarma Gücü Sports Club, who began with sport shooting since 2001. Since then, Dikeç continued competing in the military national team as well as in the national team.

Well educated in physical education and sports, Dikeç has become a Turkish champion for several times.

In fact, he is already the national record holder in different categories of pistol events, including a world record in 25 meter center-fire pistol event, when he competed at the CISM Military World Championships held in Rena, Norway.

With more than just several medals, Dikeç is more than qualified for the Olympics shooting competition.

In Paris, Dikeç managed to win his first-ever Olympic medal in the most comfortable style after a decorated career with the pistol.

As for why Dikeç did what he did, stems from the fact that he was an officer, and as a trained personnel, he was trained to shoot using both of his eyes open.

This method, known as "binocular shooting," which allows for better peripheral vision, depth perception, and situational awareness.

This approach enhances situational awareness and allows officers to better assess threats and their environment.

While officers may also be trained for shooting with one eye closed, especially for precision shooting or when using certain types of scopes, the preferred method for officers is typically the one that involves both eyes.

Speaking in an interview with Turkish radio statio, Dikeç also said that he shoots with both eyes, and that is the reason why he didn't need equipment others use.

"Shooting with two eyes — I believe that it’s better. I’ve done a lot of research on it, so I didn’t need the equipment," he said.

"Shooting with my hand in my pocket has nothing to do with artistry. I am more motivated and feel more comfortable while shooting."

It's worth noting that the Turkish team lost to Zorana Arunovic and Damir Mikec, who recovered from being down 8-2 to secure the victory with a 16-14 score over Dikeç and Tarhan.

India's Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh earned themselves the bronze medal.

It's also worth noting that in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Dikeç competed in his fifth Olympic Games, with his first appearance coming in Beijing in 2008.

Shortly after his win, Dikeç soon realized his instant fame.

"These are nice things," he said.

"I'm very happy for myself and my country."