Yusuf Dikec’s silver medal at Paris 2024 sparks social media buzz
Yusuf Dikec, who became the European champion by winning the gold medal in the men's category of 25-meter firing pistol at the Firearms Trap-Skeet European Championships, set his sights on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Mersin, August 07, 2017 (AA Photo)
A 51-year-old Turkish shooter, Yusuf Dikec, captured global attention after winning a silver medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team event at the Olympics. What set him apart from other competitors was his minimalist approach to the sport, competing in just glasses and with his hand casually in his pocket.
In a sport that typically demands specialized gear like noise-canceling ear protectors and precision eyewear, Dikec’s minimalist approach stunned spectators and sent social media into a frenzy.
Users from around the world flooded platforms with comments, memes, and admiration, propelling Dikec and his unique approach to the top of trending topics.
Even Eurosport, a leading global sports network, joined in the frenzy, sharing a post simply titled “The name’s Dikec. Yusuf Dikec.”
One user commented: “I love how everyone uses specialized lenses for shooting to avoid blur and increase precision … But then Turkey sends out a guy who looks like he just picked up the gun for fun and wins silver.”
Another user’s comment, “This is what you call aura,” received thousands of likes.
A comment with 60,000 likes pointed out that Dikec, unlike his competitor, did not use additional equipment support.
A Chinese social media user said, “I was so shocked when I saw the video that I yelled out loud. Normally, like the athlete on the left, you would first raise the gun from below, pass it over the target, and then slowly lower it from above to aim, but Yusuf raises the gun from below and stops it perfectly in one shot.”
Japanese users made a caricature of Dikec’s shooting moment.
Who is Yusuf Dikec?
Yusuf Dikec is a seasoned athlete with a strong educational background. He graduated from Gazi University’s School of Physical Training and Education in Ankara after which he earned a Master’s degree in Coaching from Selcuk University in Konya.
A multilingual individual, Dikec is fluent in both English and Turkish. His extensive experience in the world of sports is highlighted by his impressive Olympic record. Representing Türkiye, he has proudly competed in five Olympic Games: 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, and 2024
