"Turkey's Olympic Shooter Yusuf Dikec Breaks Silence on Viral Fame and Divorce-Driven Shooting Journey

"Turkey's Olympic Shooter Yusuf Dikec Breaks Silence

Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikec, who won a silver medal and became an overnight online sensation, has opened up about his unexpected fame. While his impressive performance in the mixed team 10m air pistol event was noteworthy, it was his casual style—competing without headwear and with one hand in his pocket—that caught people's attention.

Dikec, 51, has now addressed his viral moment. "Yusuf Dikec, the Turkish shooter who made waves at the Olympic Games, has revealed why he opts for unconventional gear after his viral appearance. Despite claiming a silver medal, it was his laid-back approach that stole the show.

Dikec shared with Daily Mail on Instagram, 'I never needed that equipment. I am a natural shooter.'” Responses from Instagram users included praise and admiration: “Give him the gold!” one wrote. Another user noted, “Damn! 50-something years old and still wins an Olympic medal. I wanna be him when I get older.” A third added, “This guy wins on so many levels,” and a fourth simply stated, “He is a legend.”

Dikec also discussed his unique shooting technique, where he keeps both eyes open, which is rare in the sport. "My technique is one of the few in the world. Even the referees are surprised," he told Turkish channel TGRT Haber. “This year we prepared extensively and worked hard. This success belongs to all of Turkey,” he concluded, emphasizing, “Success doesn’t come with your hands in your pockets.”