Yusuf Dikec, a Turkish Olympic shooting silver medallist, has become an internet sensation for his relaxed style during competition. On Tuesday, Dikec and his partner, Sevval Ilayda Tarhan, won silver in the mixed team 10m air pistol event, losing to Serbia in the gold medal match.
What caught everyone’s attention was Dikec’s casual posture. He wore standard glasses, a team T-shirt, and kept his left hand in his pocket. Unlike other athletes in the precise sport, he didn’t use specialised equipment like headphones, special lenses, or a hat.
“Be cool like Yusuf Dikec. Congratulations on winning the silver medal in such a cool way,” the French embassy to Turkey wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Social media users compared Dikec to James Bond, with some memes adding a cigarette to his mouth to emphasize his relaxed style.
Speaking to Turkish channel TGRT Haber, Dikec explained his unique technique of shooting with both eyes open, which surprised even the referees. “My shooting technique is one of the rare shooting techniques in the world. I shoot with both eyes open,” he said. He also noted that winning a medal was expected because “this year we prepared a lot and worked a lot… this success belongs to all of Turkey.”
Dikec emphasized that “success doesn’t come with your hands in your pockets.”
Some social media users also highlighted Tarhan’s performance, noting that she, too, adopted a casual hand-in-pocket stance, though she wore headphones and a visor.
Turkish Sports Minister Osman Askin Bak congratulated Dikec on social media, posting a photo of him recreating his now “legendary pose.”
Dikec and Tarhan celebrated their victory, holding a Turkish flag and their medals, at the Champions Park at the Trocadero complex in Paris on Wednesday.
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