Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikec has become an overnight internet sensation following his silver medal win at the Paris Olympics.
In the air pistol mixed team competition, Dikec amazed everyone by competing with everyday glasses and one hand in his pocket, eschewing specialized equipment.
His unique approach and confident demeanor, especially at the age of 51, have sparked widespread admiration and a social media meme fest. This article explores Dikec’s journey, his unconventional style, and the reactions from fans around the world.
The Olympics produce new heroes every day, but here’s one Olympian who’s become an overnight internet sensation and the world can’t keep calm. We are talking about Turkish shooter Yusuf Dike, whose silver medal win at the Paris Olympics is the stuff not only of dreams but also movies and web series, some might say.
In an Olympic competition where participants use all the available equipment at their disposal to get ahead, Dike stunned everyone as he offered a master class in nonchalance during the pistol mixed team competition on Tuesday.
While his opponents took to the competition with specialized equipment—custom glasses to obscure vision in one eye, large ear protection, and tinted lenses—believe it or not, Dike managed to claim Turkey’s first-ever Olympic medal in shooting in what looked like his everyday glasses and with one hand in his pocket.
→ Swipe to see more articles
You heard that right—no protective equipment or eye gear, none whatsoever. And guess what? He’s 51 years old.
Yusuf Dike told a Turkish radio station, “I shoot with both eyes; most shooters do it with one, so I didn’t want all that equipment. Shooting with two eyes, I believe, is better. I’ve done a lot of research on it, so I didn’t want that equipment. Shooting with my hand in one pocket has nothing to do with any artistry.
I’m more motivated and feel more comfortable while shooting, and that stance is actually about bringing the body to equilibrium and focusing and concentrating.”
As we said, ever since his images went viral, the internet can’t stop raving about this Olympian and his style. He’s also become the subject of a meme fest on social media. One social media user said, “Top confidence—a hand in one pocket, no specialized lenses, no problem.
Too easy for him.” Another lauded his “insane aura.” Someone else wrote, “At 51 years old, he competed in the Olympic Games as if he were on the patio at his home.”
After securing the silver, Dike said, “I’m happy. An Olympic medal is an Olympic medal, and in Los Angeles, which is going to host the 2028 Games, hopefully, it will be a gold medal.”
