Turkish pistol shooter Yusuf Dikec has gone viral on social media for his unique victory in the 10-metre air pistol event at the Paris Olympics. The 51-year-old caught global attention by competing without protective gear or special lenses, unlike his peers, during the mixed team event. His casual appearance and impressive performance sparked a wave of Turkish-language memes, which he embraced on Instagram, celebrating his newfound “main character energy.”
Dikec and his partner, Sevval Ilayda Tarhan, won the silver medal, while India’s Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh took bronze. Looking ahead to the 2028 Summer Games, Dikec expressed his hope for a gold medal in Los Angeles.
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Born in 1973, Yusuf Dikec has participated in every Summer Olympics since 2008. At the Paris Games, he also competed in the 10m Air Pistol Men, finishing 13th. According to the Paris Olympics website, Dikec enjoys dancing. He began shooting in 2001 after starting work as a non-commissioned officer for the Gendarmerie General Command, an armed enforcement agency in Turkey with a history dating back to 1839.
Dikec’s biography on the Olympics website emphasizes his belief that “success doesn’t come with your hands in your pockets,” despite the irony of him being seen with a pocket in his hand while aiming. A four-time Olympian, Dikec also has seven European championships among his numerous achievements.
