The Olympics may have just found its coolest participant. Turkish pistol shooter Yusuf Dikec completely captured every fan’s attention with his nonchalant ways and highly casual style. In a sport dominated by technology, Dikec came wearing just a standard pair of glasses and shot with his hand in his pocket. He was for all intents and purposes, a regular guy in a tournament of immortals. 

However, this style enamored fans worldwide. Especially because despite this casual stance, Yusuf Dikec ended up winning the silver medal! So why did this man forsake technology? Well, the reason was quite simple – it was Dikec’s confidence. And it took years for him to get to this point. So naturally, it’s time to understand the extraordinary talent within this seemingly regular man.

Meet the Paris Olympics’ viral shooter, Yusuf Dikec

Things were quite normal when the 10-m air pistol mixed team event began. However, gradually fans noted a huge anomaly hidden in the sea of technology. There he was Yusuf Dikec, wearing no specialized lenses, eye cover, or ear protection. How weird? That’s certainly putting oneself at a disadvantage, right? Maybe it was but not on this day. Dikec won a silver and that immediately catapulted him to stardom.

This was his 5th Olympic event. Yusuf Dikec has been an Olympic staple for Turkey since Beijing 2008. However, year after year, Dikec stood there but never on the podium until now. But that doesn’t mean that the 51-year-old has no experience with winning. His trophy cabinet includes several World and European championships. It was only in the Olympics that he had some tough luck.

However, the retired non-commissioned Turkish Gendarmerie officer always knew that winning was right around the corner. Despite his failures and a long wait – Dikec never stopped believing. More importantly, he never stopped being nonchalant and casual in his style. But as it became clear later on – his nonchalance cannot be mistaken for carelessness.

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The Turkish shooter explains his bold Olympic move 

After Yusuf Dikec’s t-shirt and normal glasses became viral, naturally he was bombarded with questions regarding his style. However, Dikec revealed that his disinterest in using technological tools wasn’t anything intentional, he just didn’t need them. “I did not need special equipment,” Dikec said. “I’m a natural, a natural shooter.” That’s the kind of confidence that this 51-year-old has always shown. However, his next line was equally special.

“Success doesn’t come with your hands in your pockets,” Dikec said to Turkish reporters. So in a way, Dikec admitted that while he didn’t need these special equipments, it doesn’t mean he didn’t have to work hard. The preparation that he went through was enough to negate the disadvantages of not utilizing technology. Still, it can’t be denied that he has become the coolest shooter in the eyes of many.  And that is something that even he wouldn’t have prepared for.

But that’s what the Olympics does, it makes legends out of unexpected beings. Even if it took five tries, Yusuf Dikec has got his due. He has the Olympic medal and also immense fame. Turns out, success might not come with hands in the pocket but fame can come with being different.