Turkish sharpshooter Yusuf Dikec captured the silver medal in the air pistol team event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, catapulting the 51-year-old into internet stardom.
Eschewing the typical special lenses and ear protectors used in the sport, and with one hand casually tucked into his pocket, Dikec’s relaxed approach on the shooting range was both impressive and unconventional. He and his partner, Sevval Ilayda Tarhan, secured Turkey’s first Olympic shooting medal.
A veteran competitor since the 2008 Summer Games, Dikec was in the mixed team 10-meter air pistol event when his viral photos were taken. Unlike most shooters who wear visors to reduce glare or blinders to enhance focus, Dikec opted for just small yellow earplugs and a regular pair of glasses.
“I didn’t need the special equipment. I’m a natural shooter,” Dikec told Turkish media, as reported by NBC News.
His calm demeanor at the Games quickly resonated online, igniting a wave of reactions. An early viral tweet highlighted, “Turkey sent a 51-year-old guy with no specialized lenses, eye cover, or ear protection and got the silver medal.”
One user likened him to “someone’s dad,” while another humorously speculated he was an assassin, posting, “Did they just find a hitman and were like how do you feel about the Olympics?”
No fancy lenses. No headphones. Just vibes.
Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikec was cool as a cucumber en route to silver in the 10m Air Pistol Mixed Team. 😎 #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/p7yu1hXl5x— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 1, 2024
The meme-worthy photo of Dikec has been adapted to various situations, with one user joking, “Me when coworkers stop using the microwave mid-cycle and don’t press reset to display the current time instead of .17.” Another quipped, “Me picking out the boar’s head turkey in the back of the deli case,” with an image of Dikec making a hand gun gesture.
Dikec has undeniably become a breakout star of the Olympics. Fans have already created artwork of him and edited him into scenes from “Pulp Fiction” with John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson.
Similarly, South Korean shooter Kim Yeji gained internet fame after winning the silver medal in the women’s 10-meter air pistol event on July 28. Like Dikec, Yeji’s composed and effortless style captured the admiration of the online community, with one user declaring, “She’s officially the coolest person on the planet; unbelievable aura.”
By showcasing these unique athletes and their remarkable achievements, this story highlights the human element of the Olympics, resonating with fans worldwide and enhancing its search engine visibility.