A 51-year-old Turkish shooter, Yusuf Dikec, has captured global attention with his remarkable performance at the Paris Olympics, where he won a silver medal despite using no specialized equipment. Photos of Dikec, who competed in the 10-meter air pistol mixed team event alongside his partner Sevval Ilayda Tarhan, have gone viral due to his unconventional appearance—he competed without the usual protective gear and kept one hand casually in his pocket.
Turkey sent a 51 yr old guy with no specialized lenses, eye cover or ear protection and got the silver medal pic.twitter.com/sFKcsRzvrw
— non aesthetic things (@PicturesFoIder) July 31, 2024
Olympic shooters typically use specialized glasses and ear protection to help them focus and protect themselves, but Dikec’s laid-back approach stood out in stark contrast to his well-equipped competitors. Despite narrowly missing out on the gold medal, Dikec and Tarhan were thrilled with their silver win.
Social media erupted with reactions to Dikec’s performance. One user commented on the unusual sight of a competitor without the typical gear, while others humorously noted his casual demeanor, suggesting he looked as if he had just decided to compete on a whim.
Similarly, South Korean shooter Kim Ye-ji also made headlines after earning a silver medal in the women’s 10-meter air pistol event. Her relaxed yet precise performance, complete with a personalized shooting setup and her daughter’s stuffed animal for good luck, also captivated audiences. Fans praised her unique style and cool demeanor, dubbing her one of the standout personalities of the Olympics.
