Turkish Shooter Becomes Internet Sensation with Laid-Back Style

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Turkish Shooter Becomes Internet Sensation with Laid-Back Style

PARIS: A Turkish shooting silver medallist who wore no headgear and kept his hand in his pocket became an instant internet sensation. However, he said on Thursday that his newfound fame did not bother him.

On Tuesday, Yusuf Dikec and his partner Sevval Ilayda Tarhan won silver for Türkiye in the mixed team 10m air pistol competition. In the gold medal match, Türkiye lost to Serbia.
However, Dikec’s posture, with his standard glasses, team T-shirt, and left hand casually slung in his pocket, drew more attention than the outcome.
Other than his gun, he outstandingly had none of the particular gear utilized by competitors in the hyper-exact occasion, similar to earphones, extraordinary focal points or a cap.

“Like Yusuf Dikec, be cool. In a post on X in Turkish, the French embassy in Turkey congratulated the team for winning the silver medal in such a cool manner.
Dikec is his name. Yusuf Dikec,” expressed posts by different clients regarding film symbol James Bond. A cigarette was placed in his mouth in some memes to emphasize his relaxed posture.

Dikec admitted to Turkish television station TGRT Haber that he had used a unique technique of shooting with both eyes open, whereas most athletes keep one eye closed or hidden.

“One of the few shooting techniques known to man is the one I use. I shoot with the two eyes open. “This surprises even the referees,” he stated.

He said winning a decoration was nothing unexpected as “this year we arranged a ton and worked a ton… this achievement has a place with all of Turkey.”

“You don’t get success if you put your hands in your pockets.”

In the mixed event, some social media users suggested that his shooting partner Tarhan, who appeared to be wearing headphones and a visor but took an equally casual hand-in-pocket stance, should also receive equal attention.

On social media, Turkish Sports Minister Osman Askin Bak posted a picture of Dikec performing his now-“legendary pose” to congratulate him.

Dikec and Tarhan both took their medals and a Turkish flag to the Champions Park at the Trocadero complex in Paris on Wednesday to commemorate their victory.