Did Turkey’s viral Olympian Yusuf Dikec take up shooting after divorce?
Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikec, who won a silver medal at the Paris Olympics 2024 in the 10m air pistol competition, became an overnight internet sensation for his “gearless” look.
His relaxing style and the decision to not wear protective earplugs or special lenses made him viral on social media.
Yusuf Dikec wore regular spectacles and a team T-shirt, his left hand casually resting in his pants pocket.
Several rumours circulated after Yusuf Dikec won the medal, one of which said that the 51-year-old took up shooting following a tragic divorce.
Some social media users also claimed that Dikec was a mechanic who turned to shooting following a challenging divorce.
Also read: Who Is Imane Khelif? The Algerian boxer at centre of ‘gender controversy’ in Paris Olympics
A Facebook page published a post claiming to explain his background, describing him as a mechanic who took up shooting following a rocky divorce.
The post also claimed that Dikec took a jibe at his former spouse while receiving his silver medal.
However, the narrative was a complete false.
According to a People report, Dikec started shooting competitively in 2001, following his employment with the Gendarmerie General Command as a non-commissioned officer.
He’s a four-time Olympian, having competed in 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2020.
Dikec explained his unique shooting method in an interview with the Turkish broadcaster TGRT Haber.
He described his shooting method as one of the “rare shooting techniques in the world.”
He claims that even the referees are taken aback by his practice of shooting with both eyes open.
Dikec 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.”
He told reporters that he and his teammate Sevval Ilayda Tarhan are eager to competing in the Los Angeles Summer Games in 2028.
