Turkish man becomes internet sensation after participating without shooting gear at Paris Olympics

A 51-year-old Turkish Olympian became an internet sensation after winning a silver medal in the 10-meter air pistol mixed team event at the Paris Olympics 2024. He achieved this feat wearing just a t-shirt and regular glasses, instead of professional shooting gear.

Typically, shooters in competitions wear specialised lenses to enhance target focus. However, Yusuf Dikec took a more relaxed approach and competed without ear protection or specialised glasses designed to block vision in one eye and reduce glare.

Dikec, who made his Olympic debut in Beijing in 2008, competed in his fifth Olympic Games. This silver medal is his first Olympic medal ever.

In the 10m air pistol doubles, Yusuf Dikec participated with his partner Sevval llayda Tarhan and the duo managed to win a silver medal. However, it was Dikec's calm and collected demeanor that captured people's attention.

Netizens compared Dikec to other shooters in the air pistol mixed team competition, who were all dressed in specialised gear, including goggles, special lenses, and ear protectors.

The Turkish shooter wore prescription glasses and normal earplugs, casually kept one hand in his pocket and accurately hit his target.

The Olympic #shootingsport stars we didn’t know we needed.

🇰🇷 Kim Yeji 🤝 Yusuf Dikeç 🇹🇷 pic.twitter.com/gfkyGjFg4I

— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) August 1, 2024

"The woman shooter from South Korea was the sensation in Paris Olympics till this Turkish shooter came to the picture. Now this man took all the limelight . His hands in pocket, peak swag level," an X user wrote.

The woman shooter from South Korea was the sensation in Paris Olympics till this turkish shooter came to the picture 🔥

Now this man took all the limelight . His hands in pocket , peak swag level 🔥😎#OlympicGames #Olympics pic.twitter.com/RTb9qHsUsS

— Surbhi (@SurrbhiM) August 1, 2024

"Did Turkey send a hitman to the Olympics?" a social media user sarcastically wrote on X. 

Did Turkey send a hitman to the Olympics? pic.twitter.com/nPfNQMKtX7

— DD Geopolitics (@DD_Geopolitics) July 31, 2024

South Korea sent a fully-kitted out player for the Olympic shooting. Turkey sent an 51-years-old guy with no specialized lenses, eye cover or ear protection and got the silver medal. pic.twitter.com/9tNgRMrLzn

— Creepy (@creepydotorg) July 31, 2024

In Olympic shooting, they use equipment like:

> A lens to avoid blur
> A lens for better precision
> ear protectors for noise

Then a Turkish guy (Dikeç) came and won a silver medal with just a pair of GLASSES. pic.twitter.com/tobbeIifiS

— Turkish Archives (@TurkishArc) July 31, 2024

I know everyone is loving the South Korean pistol shooter in the Olympics with robocop vibes. I present you the Turkish pistol shooter. 51 years old. Flip flops, hands in pocket. He would’ve lit a cigarette if he could. My vibe.

(He got🥈btw)#OlympicGames pic.twitter.com/MrnO8Q5oiy

— Kerem (@kerem) July 31, 2024

South Korea sent fully dressed shooter and Turkey sent a 51 years old In T Shirt hand in pocket while shooting
And Turkish guy got silver Medal 🥈 pic.twitter.com/tEYMtT7Lu1

— Palestinian News 🗞️ (@drr_palestine) August 1, 2024