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Turkey’s Olympic shooter breaks silence on viral fame after his effortless swag broke the internet

“Success doesn’t come with your hands in your pockets": Turkey’s Olympic shooter, Yusuf Dikec, who went viral for his effortless swag, said in an interview.

Updated on: Aug 2, 2024, 17:16:08 IST
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Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikec won a silver medal and became an overnight online sensation. However, more than his winning the medal, it was his demeanour while competing that left people surprised. He was seen taking part in a mixed team 10m air pistol event while portraying a casual style—with no headwear and one hand tucked in his pocket. He has now opened up about his unexpected fame.

The image shows Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikec, who won a silver medal at the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024. (AFP, HT File Photo)
The image shows Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikec, who won a silver medal at the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024. (AFP, HT File Photo)

“Yusuf Dikec, the Turkish shooter who has taken the Olympic Games by storm, has broken his silence after going viral on the internet. The 51-year-old claimed a silver medal, but it was Dikec's unconventional approach to the competition that has seen his image go viral. And Dikec has revealed the real reason why he opts not to use the typical gear after making headlines all over the world in his fifth Olympics appearance,” Daily Mail wrote in an Instagram post. “‘I never needed that equipment. I am a natural shooter,” the outlet added a comment from the shooter.

Also Read: Turkey’s Olympic shooter is the hottest meme on X right now for his effortless swag

Take a look at the post about the Turkish shooter here:

The share has received over 6,000 likes and tons of comments from people.

What did Instagram users say about this post?

“Give him the gold!” wrote an Instagram user. Yusuf Dikec lost to Serbia in the gold medal match and clinched a silver medal. “Damn! 50-something years old and still wins an Olympic medal. I wanna be him when I get older,” added another.

A third posted, “This guy wins on so many levels.” A fourth expressed, “He is a legend.”

Also Read: JSW Chairman Sajjan Jindal promises car, inspired by Windsor Castle, to every Indian Olympic medalist in Paris

Dikec talked about his rare shooting technique where he keeps both eyes open, unlike most who keep one eye obscured or closed, with Turkish channel TGRT Haber.

“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 told the outlet.

“This year we prepared a lot and worked a lot. This success belongs to all of Turkey,” he said, adding, “Success doesn’t come with your hands in your pockets.”

  • Trisha Sengupta
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Trisha Sengupta

    Trisha Sengupta is a Chief Content Producer at Hindustan Times with over six years of digital newsroom experience. Specialising in high-engagement storytelling, she blends viral trends with traditional journalism to cover the intersection of technology, finance, and human emotion. Her reporting spans real estate and personal finance struggles in hubs like Bengaluru and Gurgaon, the NRI experience, and corporate shifts like tech layoffs. Trisha also frequently tracks global figures and writes human interest stories. Offline, Trisha is an avid reader, history enthusiast and solo traveler. She balances her journalism career with family life while actively integrating AI tools into her modern storytelling approach.Read More