After capturing a silver medal in the 10-meter air pistol mixed team competition in Paris in 2024 with his partner, Sevval Ilayda Tarhan, Yusuf Dikec cemented his place in Turkish sports history.
When spectators saw that the 51-year-old shooter was participating without any of the gear usually used in the sport—such as ear protection and specialty glasses that help with aim by blocking off one eye’s vision—he gained a lot of attention.
Rather, Dikec accepted the silver medal on July 30 while putting his hand in his pocket and donning his usual prescription spectacles.
Pictures of his unorthodox strategy for the challenge soon went viral online, leading many social media users to speculate that Dikec might actually be a hitman.
Sports shooter Yusuf Dikec went viral after competing with no equipment at the 2024 Paris
Image credits: Eurosport
The Olympic shooter claimed he has never been a fan of equipment utilization, something that even the referees find impressive.
“I have never made use of any tools. Referees occasionally asked me about equipment while we were at events, and I would reply, “I don’t have any.” I was born to shoot. They would laugh, of course,” he disclosed to HaberTurk.
Dikec responded, “Of course, our state meets the need for equipment, but I do not use it because I do not need it,” when questioned why he does not wear any lenses, eye covers, or ear protection.
Dikec and his partner, Sevval Ilayda Tarhan, wrote their names in Turkish sports history after winning silver in the 10-meter air pistol mixed team event on July 30
Image credits: Yusuf Dikec
He also disclosed to the audience that despite his composed, hand-in-pocket demeanor, he experiences stage anxiety.
“Though we appear serene, there are truly storms building within of us. We make an effort to maintain control and not to show it off too much.
Dikec will compete in his fifth Olympics, his debut coming in Beijing in 2008. The games will take place in Paris in 2024. At a final score of 16–14, he and Sevval just lost out on the gold.
Dikec began shooting after he began working for the Gendarmerie General Command as a non-commissioned officer, according to his
Olympics profile.
The 51-year-old Olympian won his medal wearing his regular prescription glasses instead of the typical ear protectors and specialized eyewear
Image credits: TurkishArc
“I’ve never used any equipment. When we went to competitions, referees would sometimes ask about equipment, and I would say, ‘I don’t have any. I am a natural shooter,’” the Olympic medalist revealed
Image credits: Eurosport
Another shooter who attracted great attention for their “bada** look” was South Korean Kim Ye-ji, who won silver in the women’s 10-meter air pistol event
Image credits: Daily Olympics Hub
Another Olympic shooter who captivated social media was Kim Ye-ji. The South Korean internet sensation won a silver medal in the 10-meter air pistol women’s event on July 28.
The 31-year-old, who sported futuristic-looking glasses and a baseball cap, was described as “bada**” on X (formerly known as Twitter), with one user stating, “This is the best and coolest a human being has ever looked, hands down.”
