‘Cool’ Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikec stars in latest promo of ‘The Day of the Jackal’

Turkish national shooter Yusuf Dikec, who won a silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with his relaxed demeanor and minimal equipment used, appeared in the promotional video for the new season of the popular series “The Day of the Jackal”.

Dikec gained worldwide attention for his unique approach, including his casual stance with his hands in his pockets and minimal reliance on equipment. In the promotional video, starring Academy Award-winning actor Eddie Redmayne, Dikec is featured in a disguise scene.

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— Yusuf Dikec (@yusufdikec) January 9, 2025

Based on Frederick Forsyth’s novel, the series depicts Redmayne as a legendary sharpshooter who masterfully conceals himself behind disguises. In the SkyShowtime clip, the character uses Yusuf Dikec’s face as part of a transformation, adding intrigue to the storyline.

The video, titled “Unveiling the Truth with Yusuf Dikec,” quickly garnered widespread praise from fans of the series while reigniting interest in the Turkish shooter.

Yusuf Dikec: The casual Turkish shooter

Yusuf Dikec, a 52-year-old Turkish sport pistol shooter, burst onto the scene during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris with his relaxed demeanor and minimalist equipment—he didn’t even wear earplugs while competing.

Dikec’s casual stance, shooting with one hand while the other rested in his pocket, went viral on social media, becoming the subject of countless memes.

Despite the light-hearted online reaction, he clinched a silver medal with his stellar performance and shared his philosophy on the official Olympic page: “Success doesn’t come with your hands in your pockets.”

Following his success at the Olympics, Yusuf Dikec filed a trademark application with the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office (TURKPATENT) to protect his iconic shooting pose. The move came after discovering several unauthorized trademark attempts, which were subsequently rejected. The viral pose, originally a technique to maintain balance, has since inspired merchandise featuring Dikec’s likeness.

‘The Day of the Jackal’

One of the most famous thrillers of the 20th century, “The Day of the Jackal” has been adapted for the screen twice before. This latest series adaptation marks the third major iteration of Frederick Forsyth’s classic and has quickly broken viewership records on streaming platforms.

The first film, released in 1973, was critically acclaimed, while the second adaptation, starring Bruce Willis, was widely criticized.

In the current adaptation, Eddie Redmayne plays the Jackal, a highly skilled and elusive assassin who only accepts the most lucrative contracts. Known for working alone without any assistants, the Jackal’s world changes when he faces a formidable new opponent: a British intelligence agent portrayed by Lashana Lynch. This sets the stage for a high-stakes rivalry in which both sides are prepared to make extreme sacrifices.

“The Day of the Jackal” reached 4.5 million viewers in just one month in the U.K. on the Sky platform, setting a record. Yusuf Dikec’s appearance is expected to further boost the show’s popularity.