After South Korea’s Kim Ye Ji, there’s another sharpshooter in town (a.k.a. the 2024 Paris Olympics) that the internet has on its target! Meet Yusuf Dikeç, the 51-year-old Olympian from Türkiye making waves on the web for his bare approach to the air pistol. With his seeming nonchalance and lack of special gear, netizens across the world have jokingly mistaken him for an action movie assassin!
To get to know the real-life man behind the Olympic silver medalist with a cool demeanor, check out our quick fact sheet on Yusuf below!
Who Is Yusuf Dikec? All About the Olympic Sharpshooter from Turkey
1. Yusuf Dikec is 51 years old as of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The Olympic athlete was born on January 1, 1973 at Goksun, Türkiye, which makes him 51 years old at the time of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
2. Paris 2024 is Yusuf Dikec’s fifth Olympics.
Paris isn’t his first rodeo when it comes to being an Olympian. The Turkish sharpshooter has already made his rounds in the Olympic circuit, having represented his country in Beijing 2008, London 2012, Rio 2016, and Tokyo 2020. He struck success for Türkiye during Paris, as he and his shooting partner Sevval Ilayda Tarhan bagged the silver medal for the mixed team 10-meter air pistol event.
3. Yusuf Dikec used to be in one of Turkey’s military forces.
While the internet has jokingly theorized that Yusuf might just be an assassin plucked out from retirement, there’s a bit of truth to his professional past. Prior to taking on shooting as a sport in 2001, Yusuf was a non-commissioned officer for the Gendarmerie General Command, a branch of the Turkish Ministry of Interior that maintains the public order and security of rural areas.
Before this, the athlete finished his studies at the Gazi University School of Physical Training and Education in Ankara, while he received his master’s degree in Coaching from the Selcuk University in Konya.
4. Yusuf Dikec says he’s a “natural shooter.”
Yusuf’s claim to internet fame was his lack of gear during his Olympic event, which is a contrast to his competitors who came fully kitted out. The Turkish sharpshooter bagged silver sans specialized lenses, cover, or ear protection–nothing but his Türkiye T-shirt and a normal pair of glasses!
In an interview with Turkish media as reported by Euro News, the athlete shared a few words regarding his nonchalant shooting style. “I did not need special equipment,” he said. “I’m a natural, a natural shooter.”
His own Olympics.com profile even reads: “Success doesn't come with your hands in your pockets.”
5. You can follow Yusuf Dikec on Instagram.
Yusuf updates his followers on his achievements via his Instagram page, but they can also peek into his life outside of his sport. From the looks of it, Yusef is a cat dad, too!
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