The 10-meter air pistol mixed team competition had a unique competitor this year at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, as 51-year-old Yusuf Dikec from Turkey has gone viral for his nonchalant attitude and lack of gear while shooting his gun.
That is to say, while most people in this sport wear one specialized lens, which helps avoid blurring and another lens that provides better precision when aiming at the target, Dikec evidently doesn't need any competitive advantages (besides eyeglasses) as he got a silver medal, along with his partner Tarhan Sevval Ilayda, coming up just short to Serbia in the finals (16-14).
Turkey sent a 51 yr old guy with no specialized lenses, eye cover or ear protection and got the silver medal pic.twitter.com/sFKcsRzvrw
— non aesthetic things (@PicturesFoIder) July 31, 2024
Due to his stoic nature and minimalistic approach, there were even rumors online that the Turkish shooter might be a hitman back home in his own country.
Dikec was later asked about why he opted not to utilize any other equipment like all his opponents had on.
"I did not need special equipment," he told reporters. "I'm a natural shooter."
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.
(h/t @paposfut) pic.twitter.com/KXHCHDccpp
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) July 31, 2024
To note, in regards to everyone saying Turkey sent a "hitman" to win a medal at the Olympics, it was later reported that Dikec is a retired non-commissioned officer of the Turkish Gendarmerie.
In view of his natural talent, he certainly has showcased an ability to shoot a gun throughout his storied career, being a five-time Olympian (2008-Beijing, 2012-London, 2016-Rio, 2020-Tokyo, 2024-Paris), Dikec also has multiple World/European championships in different pistol events.
He also was quoted as saying, "Success doesn't come with your hands in your pocket."
To point out, he ironically was shooting with one hand in his pocket, which apparently is the correct technique for this competition.
The iconic shooter with one hand in his pocket.
51-year-old Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikec's who won an Olympic silver medal with no specialized lenses, ear protection or any other equipment.pic.twitter.com/fueMcKaMGH
— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) August 1, 2024
Bro showed up in his most casual everyday fit and scored a Medal lmao pic.twitter.com/OLhPN7bg5L
— rodlo 🪬 (@roddystr) July 31, 2024
There were other notable pistol competitors, such as South Korea's Kim Yeji, who went viral for having a much different style, exhibiting an exuberant persona with her dramatic pose while shooting with equipment that looked like it could be special agent spy-wear.
All in all, the contrast of approaches to the air pistol shooting competitions has brought much recognition to the sport, while making Dikec and Kim internet famous.
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
On the left Kim Yeji, she is the anime protagonist.
On the right is Yusuf Dikec. He would that one character in the anime everyone even the Demon Lord would stay clear of for reasons long lost in time. Just leave him alone.https://t.co/ctaKq5B9IE pic.twitter.com/CXfGgJBZYz
— ultrapurwater (@ultrapurwater) July 31, 2024
