Turkish Olympic shooter Yusuf Dikec has taken the internet by storm with his surprise performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Wearing simple prescription glasses and maintaining a nonchalant pose, Dikec managed to clinch the silver medal in the 10-metre air pistol mixed team event.
Competing against rivals decked out in specialised optical gear and equipment, Dikec’s casual demeanour and low-key appearance set him apart from the typical Olympic athlete. This contrast, coupled with his unexpected success, has propelled him to viral stardom on social media.
“Turkey sent a 51-year-old guy with no specialized lenses, eye cover, or ear protection and got the silver medal,” one viral post on X said. The post has garnered nearly 90 million views, a testament to the people’s fascination with this unassuming champion.
Dikec’s partner, Sevval llayda Tarhan, also contributed to the team’s silver medal finish. Together, the duo has captured the imagination of fans around the world, who are hailing Dikec as the “star we didn’t know we needed.”
The Turkish Olympic shooter’s remarkable achievement, delivered with an air of nonchalance, has struck a chord with audiences and solidified his status as an unlikely hero of the Paris 2024 Games.
Even The Olympic Games could not stop itself from praising the Olympian. In a social media post, the Games praised Dikec and Kim Yeji from South Korea. Yeji, the 31-year-old sharpshooter, took social media by storm following her appearance at the Paris Olympics. She won silver at the 10-meter air pistol event on Sunday, with her 19-year-old teammate Oh Ye Jin taking the gold.
Dikeć is a seasoned competitor, having represented his country in four previous Olympic Games, in addition to winning numerous titles at the World and European Championships.
Furthermore, Dikeć is a retired non-commissioned officer of the Turkish Gendarmerie, adding to the intrigue surrounding this unlikely Olympic hero.
“I did not need special equipment,” Dikec reportedly told Turkish media. “I’m a natural, a natural shooter.”
In another statement, he said: “Success doesn’t come with your hands in your pockets.”
“The Olympic #shootingsport stars we didn’t know we needed,” Olympic social media accounts said.
