Yusuf Dikec, the Turkish sensation who won silver without gadgets

Turkish sports shooter Yusuf Dikeç became an internet sensation after winning a silver medal in the 10-meter air pistol mixed team event at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Dikeç’s unique style and easygoing nature, characterized by casual attire and a laid-back attitude, attracted considerable attention. Teaming up with Şevval İlayda Tarhan, Dikeç and his teammate secured Turkey’s first-ever Olympic shooting medal, making him a standout figure at this year’s Games.

Born on January 1, 1973 in Taşoluk Village, Göksun District, Kahramanmaraş Province, Dikeç began his educational journey in his local village before completing high school in Göksun. He enrolled in the Gendarmerie Military School in Ankara in 1994, graduated as a corporal and served in Mardin. After returning to the Military School and graduating as a sergeant, he was stationed in Istanbul before being assigned to the Jandarma Gücü Sports Club in Ankara.

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Dikeç’s beginnings in shooting are an unusual story. He took up the sport after a heated argument with his ex-wife, and attributes his success to a newfound passion for spending time with his children and a determination to prove his ex wrong. “I never thought I’d be here,” Dikeç notes with a shrug. “I just wanted to spend the weekend with my kids.”

Now 52, ​​Dikeç works as a mechanic in a small garage in Istanbul. His approach to shooting is unconventional, eschewing specialized equipment and rigorous training in favor of everyday jeans and a T-shirt. His unorthodox style astounds professional shooters. “He just shows up, fires off a near-perfect series, and then asks if there’s a smoking area nearby,” one observer noted.

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Dikeç’s Olympic victory was marked by his stoic demeanor on the podium, where he famously declared, “Sharon, if you’re watching this, I want my dog ​​back.” Dikeç, who took up shooting in 2001, is also a member of the Turkish shooting and national teams, and studied physical education and sports at Gazi University in Ankara. His unexpected success and relaxed demeanor have made him a memorable figure at the 2024 Olympics.