Cool Turk Captures The Imagination Of Millions!
Credit: Instagram / @yusufdikecofficial
Another Olympic Games has come and gone, with the closing ceremony having wrapped up on Sunday. Amid the thrill of victory for those striking gold was the agony of defeat by others with unpredicted goofs, fails, falls and stumbles. One of the most memorable competitors was an unlikely candidate who won a silver medal while capturing the hearts of millions and putting smiles on their faces.
One Cool Shooter
Yusuf Dikec, a 52-year-old competitor from Turkey, struck silver in the 10m air pistol event. He became a viral sensation for his nonchalant, “gadget-free” look. Those watching the event were taken with his casual appearance. Consisting of a plain white T-shirt with “Turkey” printed in black, black slacks, and wearing no protective hearing device or gargantuan specialty lenses other competitors used, to their advantage. No, Dikec looked like a spectator who’d just left his seat and wanted to try shooting for the first time.
Dikec’s spartan-like attire only added to his cool factor, as did his shooting stance, which epitomized the definition of relaxation. His off-hand cooly was stuffed in his pants pocket, and his slight paunch acted as a counterbalance for his calm, backward stance. Dikec stated he is a “natural” shooter and never needed specialized equipment.
“Everyone thinks I was very calm by my stance, but actually, storms were raging inside me,” he confessed. “I think my shooting pose represented the Olympic spirit very well with the fair play, simplicity, clarity and naturalness. That’s why it got so much attention.”
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
Hyperbole
With the help of social media, rumors and stories about the man who made Turkey cool went viral. Some hypothesized, in a fun way, that he was a “hit man” filling in for an injured team member, while others called him the Turkish John Wick. There are several other fun stories, but my favorite was one about Dikec being recently separated from his wife and having allegedly stumbled into competitive shooting fairly recently because he wanted custody of his dog from her.
I am not john wick. But I love my cat so much.❤️#Yusuf_Dikec #YusufDikec #CoolTurkishHitman #Olimpics2024 #Paris2024 #ParisOlympics2024 pic.twitter.com/eTd8o87eWC
— Yusuf Dikec (@YusufDikecy) August 5, 2024
Truth Be Told
The untold truth is that Yusuf Dikec is an experienced shooter and a four-time Olympian, having competed in the 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020 Summer Games. The 51-year-old began shooting competitively in 2001, following his employment with the Gendarmerie General Command as a non-commissioned officer.
But why ruin a good story and the imagination of millions with truth as they were captivated by the “cool Turk” who shot with only the bare necessities?
“That’s why I don’t use many accessories. 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. My partner and I will get the gold at Los Angeles 2028,” Dikec said.
In an interview with Turkish broadcaster TGRT Haber, he described his shooting method as one of the “rare shooting techniques in the world.” The shooter said several referees were shocked to see his performance and went on to say that, given their intense training, a medal was expected.
“This year, we prepared a lot and worked a lot … this success belongs to all of Turkey,” Dikec continued.
The Olympian mentioned that his victory in the Paris Games will inspire the next generations.
“When donning the national team shirt, a player should be mindful of his attitude, behavior and way of life,” he said. “Yusuf Dikec is just a name and a symbol. I am very happy to be spoken about as a Turkish athlete, not as Yusuf Dikec.”
Besides a cool demeanor and style, Dikec’s coolest trait is his attitude!
Lessons Learned & Debate Time
I think Dikec’s coolness comes from the fact he doesn’t use all the gizmos, gadgets and gear others have become so dependent on. He proves raw talent is more important than anything. Others may disagree, saying use what it takes to improve your score, but Dikec is a prime example of practicing the basics is all that is needed. Plus, what a mind game he plays with fellow competitors when they see him shooting with only his prescription glasses. It definitely gives him an edge when the going gets tough. “I never needed that equipment. I am a natural. A natural shooter,” Dikec said.
Background
Dikec, who works as a mechanic at a small garage in Istanbul, started shooting after a big argument with his ex-wife. He wanted to see his kids more and show his ex-wife that he could do something amazing, so he started shooting competitively.
“I never thought I’d be here,” he said. “I just wanted to spend a weekend with my kids.”
Unlike other shooters who use special gear and follow strict training routines, Dikec just wore jeans and a T-shirt. This caught many professional shooters by surprise because he trained differently than they did.
“He just comes, shoots almost perfectly, and then asks where he can smoke,” they said.
Yusuf’s unique style won him a silver medal at the Olympics, and when he stood on the podium, he calmly said, “Sharon, if you’re watching, I want my dog back.”
What a legend! What fun! Who says shooters aren’t cool?
