Who is Yusuf Dikec? All about the 51-year-old Turkish shooter who won the silver medal without specialized lenses at the Paris Olympics

Yusuf Dikec, a Turkish sport shooter, has the internet going wild over his extraordinary display of skill with a 10m air pistol at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Dikec captured hearts with his style of shooting, without wearing specialised glasses or ear-protectors for noise cancellation. He defeated most of the competition with just a pair of prescription glasses and earplugs.

Dikec is a member of the Jandarma Gücü Sports Club and a retired non-commission officer of the Turkish Gendarmerie. Since 2001, he has been associated with professional shooting and competed simultaneously in the Turkish national team and the military national team.

The 2024 Paris Olympics saw him take the Olympic silver with limited gear, much to everyone's surprise. Some X users couldn't wrap their heads around the sight of Dikec shooting as if he was doing it for "fun."

Some users also praised him for his "aura."

With a hand in pocket and sporting salt-and-pepper hair, the Turkish shooter stood beside his doubles partner, Sevval Ilayda Tarhan, and aimed his shot, securing 14-16 against the gold-winning team, Zorana Arunovic and Damir Mikec of Serbia. Pictures of Dikec are doing the rounds on the internet with fans in awe of his unique fashion of casually claiming the silver.

---

Yusuf Dikec's family and hometown

Dikec was born in Taşoluk village, Goksun district in 1973. He completed his primary education in Tasoluk village and went on to attend high school in Goksun.

---

When did Yusuf Dikec start sport shooting?

Yusuf Dikeç started sport shooting in 2001.

---

Yusuf Dikec's education

After completing his secondary education, the Turkish shooter graduated from the Gazi University in Ankara in physical education and sports. He entered the Military School of Gendermerie, Akara in 1994, where he earned his graduation in the rank of a sergeant in 2000. He provided his service for a year in Istanbul and then shifted to the sports club of Turkish Gendarmerie, named Jandarma Gücü.

---

Other achievements of Yusuf Dikec

The 51-year-old shooter made his Olympic debut at the 2008 Summer Games but ranked 44 in the 50m Air Pistol Men and 22 in the 50m Pistol Men. Dikec failed to make it to the finals of both events at the 2012, 2016 and 2020 Olympics as well.

In 2006, he participated in the 25m center-fire pistol event at the CISM Military World Championships where he set a new world record, amassing 567 points. He has also clinched an ISSF World Championship title and two European Championship titles the same year.

Dikec has four other European Championship titles, an ISSF World Cup title and a CISF World Championship gold in his extensive resume.