Turkey’s Yusuf Dikec, an Olympic shooting silver medalist, has gained widespread attention not only for his athletic performance but also for his distinctive, casual style. Competing in the mixed team 10m air pistol event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Dikec and his partner, Sevval Ilayda Tarhan, secured a silver medal after facing Serbia in the gold medal match.
Dikec’s relaxed demeanor during the competition, characterized by his standard glasses, team T-shirt, and a casual left hand in his pocket, quickly went viral. Unlike other athletes in the precise event who use specialized equipment like headphones, special lenses, or hats, Dikec’s minimalist approach stood out.
France’s embassy to Turkey acknowledged his unique style in a post on X, stating, “Be cool like Yusuf Dikec. Congratulations on winning the silver medal in such a cool way.” Social media users also compared him to cinema icon James Bond, with some memes humorously adding a cigarette to his mouth to emphasize his laid-back posture.
In an interview with Turkish channel TGRT Haber, Dikec revealed his rare shooting technique of keeping both eyes open, a method that even surprises referees. “My shooting technique is one of the rare shooting techniques in the world. I shoot with both eyes open. Even the referees are surprised by this,” he said.
Dikec attributed his success to rigorous preparation, saying, “This year we prepared a lot and worked a lot… this success belongs to all of Turkey.” He also emphasized that “success doesn’t come with your hands in your pockets,” despite his iconic pose.
While Dikec received much of the spotlight, social media users pointed out that his shooting partner, Tarhan, also 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, sharing a photo of himself recreating the marksman’s “legendary pose.” Dikec and Tarhan celebrated their victory by displaying their medals and the Turkish flag at the Champions Park at the Trocadero complex in Paris.