Yusuf Dikec, a Turkish shooter, has gained attention on social media for his relaxed attitude at the Olympic shooting range in Paris.
Dikec, a former Turkish Gendarmerie officer, won the silver in the mixed team 10-meter air pistol competition on Tuesday alongside Sevval Ilayda Tarhan.
But the 51-year-old’s laid-back look while firing at the Chateauroux Shooting Center with his other hand in his pocket is what really started the viral memes.
A message on X said, “Be cool like Yusuf Dikec,” from the French embassy in Turkey.
Dikec was the only pistol shooter at the range using a yellow earplug, unlike most others who wear visors, bulky ear-defenders, and shooting lenses with a blinder to reduce distractions and improve focus.
Internet users were captivated by his silver hair, piercing gaze, conventional spectacles, and jersey, which appeared to be an ordinary t-shirt.
Part of Dikec’s casual charm was even his habit of firing while hiding his non-shooting hand in a pocket, which is customary among pistol shooters.
Teammate Tarhan claims Dikec has earned his overnight superstar status, although the former has already returned to Turkey.
“I’m happy for him, but it’s not like he doesn’t have tools,”
“He doesn’t need additional equipment because he is accustomed to shooting with ordinary glasses. He feels at ease with it being a personal matter.”
Since making his Olympic debut in Beijing in 2008, Dikec has not missed one, and the internet is infatuated with him.
Tarhan concurred that Dikec was indeed “cool”.
“But at the same time, he’s very warm to people close to him,” she continued. “You can crack jokes with him, share anything with him.”
“I’m happy to see him getting the attention,” she replied.
Dikec is taken aback by the internet uproar, if not a little perplexed.
Upon his arrival in Turkey, he told Turkish reporters, “I didn’t anticipate such a level of recognition.”
“Since I shoot with my both eyes open, I don’t find the equipment very comfortable.”
Tarhan has confirmed that Dikec will return to the Olympics in four years to chase the gold in Los Angeles, proving the team is far from done with the games.
“We were hoping to win gold here too, and we are among the best pistol teams,” she stated. “Hopefully we’ll win it in Los Angeles.”
