Paris Olympics 2024: How Turkish shooting athlete Yusuf Dikec became a viral sensation

On 30 July, 51-year-old Yusuf Dikec competed in the 10m air pistol mixed team event at the Paris Olympics wearing a simple white Team Turkey t-shirt. 

Unlike many of his competitors, he did not use special lenses for precision or bulky earmuffs to protect his hearing.

Sporting only his ​​prescription glasses and with one hand in his pocket, Dikec secured a silver medal - Turkey's first-ever medal in Olympic shooting - alongside his partner, Sevval Ilayda Tarhan.

Photographs of Dikec and his relaxed stance quickly spread online, with tens of thousands of users on social media labelling his attitude “aura” - a term used by many younger users to describe extreme confidence or charisma.

“Turkey sent a 51-year-old dude with no specialized lenses, eye cover or ear protection, and secured the silver medal,” one viral post said. 

Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of the social media platform X, responded: “Nice.”

“Dude looks like he just decided to join the Olympics when he woke up this morning,” added another user.

Some were convinced that he could only be a real-life assassin.

“Did Turkey send a hitman to the Olympics?” one post with over 600,000 likes asked.

“Pretty sure they found some retired hitman and said yo try this real quick,” another user joked.

This Turkish man is the Turkish John Wick ! 😂

He won an Olympic medal with his hand in his pocket, as if he were going to the market, without using any equipment.

That's the next level! pic.twitter.com/O44epdJTdB

— Figen (@TheFigen_) August 1, 2024

Another added: “I think he intentionally missed the gold. Because it would have been too obvious.”

Several dubbed Dikec the “Turkish John Wick”, referencing the hitman character from the action franchise starring Keanu Reeves, while others created fan art of his viral Paris photo.

𝚝𝚊𝚗(𝚜𝚒𝚗(𝟺𝟼)/𝚌𝚘𝚝(𝟻𝟷)) Eyes One the Target
𝚏(𝚡)=𝚢^𝚎/𝚌 BAMBAMBAM pic.twitter.com/5OXQv5gvc7

— Serkan Tanyildizi (@srkntnyldz) July 31, 2024

One user speculated that he resembled a military operative: “With one hand in his pocket and both eyes open, he'd have to be a trained military man to be able to pull the gig.”

And they were right. Dikec is indeed a senior chief warrant officer in the Turkish Gendarmerie General Command.

The five-time Olympian also represented Turkey in the 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020 Summer Olympics and won medals at the 2013 Mediterranean Games.

After going viral on social media, Dikec discussed his shooting method, explaining that he competed without special equipment by choice rather than lack of provision from the ministry or federation.

Unlike other shooters, he prefers to shoot with both eyes open. 

“I have researched this a lot and have seen that it is healthier to shoot [this way],” he added. 

Meanwhile, social media users highlighted his Olympics athlete page, which lists his personal philosophy: "Success doesn't come with your hands in your pockets."

“Bro really said 'success doesnt come with your hands in your pockets' and also bro got silver medal with his hands in his pocket,” one X user reacted.

The Olympic #shootingsport stars we didn’t know we needed.

🇰🇷 Kim Yeji 🤝 Yusuf Dikeç 🇹🇷 pic.twitter.com/gfkyGjFg4I

— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) August 1, 2024

Dikec was the second shooting sensation during the Olympics, following Korean athlete Kim Yeji, who won a silver medal - and millions of hearts - with her all-black uniform and "badass" demeanour at the women’s 10m air pistol event.

The official Olympic Games page also acknowledged the athletes in a post on X, saying: “The Olympic #shootingsport stars we didn’t know we needed.”