The 2024 Paris Olympics are in full swing, and while the games are known for showcasing athletic prowess, there’s another side to these competitions that is captivating audiences — the fashion! Olympic shooters, in particular, have been drawing attention for their futuristic-looking gear. But one shooter is standing out for his decidedly lower-tech look — and the fact that he got to the podium nonetheless.
On Tuesday, Turkey's Yusuf Dikec shot his way to a silver medal in the air pistol mixed team competition, and to instant online fame. His winning quality, the internet decided, was his seeming nonchalance.
Wearing a jersey that looked like an ordinary T-shirt, and shooting with his free hand tucked in his pants pocket, the 51-year-old gave off a noticeably casual vibe.
So casual, in fact, that scores of social media users jokingly wondered whether Turkey had sent a hitman to the Olympics. Some praised his aura as “infinite,” others as “insane.”
"We need you out of retirement for one last job." "Who?" "Not who, but where. The Olympics, in France. You’ve always been our best shooter."
And many drew a contrast between Dikec and South Korean shooter Kim Yeji, whose futuristic aesthetic and unflappable demeanor made her an overnight style sensation earlier this week.
Memes joked that the two embodied the contrast between Google Sheets vs. Microsoft Excel, men vs. women packing for a trip and anime protagonist vs. recently divorced engineer, to name a few.
"The Olympic #shootingsport stars we didn’t know we needed.🇰🇷 Kim Yeji 🤝 Yusuf Dikeç 🇹🇷"
"South Korea sent a fully-kitted out player for the Olympic shooting," read one viral tweet. "Turkey sent [a] guy with no specialized lenses, eye cover or ear protection and got the silver medal."
He placed 13th in his individual event, and is already looking ahead to his next Olympics.
"I hope next in Los Angeles (for) a gold medal," he said afterward, according to the Associated Press.
This is Dikec’s fifth Olympics — he has competed in shooting events in every Summer Games since 2008.
He’s also a seven-time European champion and 2014 double world champion in the 25m standard pistol and 25m centerfire pistol, according to his Olympics biography.
Dikec’s bio says he took up shooting in 2001 after he started working as a non-commissioned officer for the Gendarmerie General Command (an armed law enforcement organization in Turkey).
His current occupation is listed as “athlete,” and EuroNews reports that he retired from the Gendarmerie.
Dikec lists exactly one hobby on his bio page: dancing. He’s also a cat lover, as social media sleuths quickly discovered.
His philosophy, ironically, is, "Success doesn't come with your hands in your pockets."
Shooting glasses — a customizable combo of a lens, mechanical iris and blinders that together can help athletes better line up their mark — have become pretty standard in recent years, though clearly not all athletes are required to use them.
Dikec told Turkish radio station Radyo Gol that while most shooters use one eye, he prefers to use both.
"Shooting with two eyes — I believe that it’s better," he said, according to a translation from CNN. "I’ve done a lot of research on it, so I didn’t need the equipment."
Chinese rifle shooter Liu Yukun won a gold medal Thursday with a similarly sparse set of gear, the AP notes — just earplugs, with no blinder or visor.
And Dikec is not the only athlete who shoots with his other hand in his pocket. He told the radio station that it’s a matter of feeling more motivated and comfortable.
The stance "is actually about bringing the body to equilibrium and focusing and concentrating," he added.
Dikec seems to be taking his social media stardom in stride, reposting several memes to his Instagram page (and, of course, a photo of his silver medal). He has also continued to defend his style.
EuroNews reports that he told the Turkish press: "I did not need special equipment. I'm a natural, a natural shooter."
The Casual Approach of Yusuf Dikec
The internet has been buzzing with excitement about Dikec's unique approach to shooting. Some say it's a reflection of his confidence and skill, while others see it as a testament to his relaxed personality. Whatever the reason, Dikec has certainly made a name for himself, and he's not afraid to embrace his newfound fame.
A New Breed of Olympic Stars
Dikec's success is a reminder that the Olympics are about more than just winning medals. It's also about showcasing individuality and pushing the boundaries of what's possible. With his casual style, Dikec has shown the world that you don't need fancy equipment or a serious demeanor to succeed in the world of competitive shooting. He has become a viral sensation in his own right, proving that you can be both cool and competitive, and he's just one example of how these games are inspiring a new breed of Olympic stars.
