Yusuf Dikec: Viral Turkish shooter on his iconic pose at 2024 Paris Olympic Games, vows to win gold at Los Angeles 2028
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/09/16/image-4414b260-c386-47c6-af98-0a2675a5a091-68-310-310.jpeg)
Published 09/08/2024 at 15:34 GMT+1
Yusuf Dikec took the internet by storm with his nonchalant shooting pose that has been recreated by several athletes, including pole vault world record-holder Armand Duplantis. But the Turkish silver medallist has denied that his casual action was reflected in his mindset during the mixed team pistol event. Dikec also vowed to upgrade his silver at Los Angeles 2028 with Sevval Ilayda Tarhan.
Turkey's Olympic pistol shooter Dikec in action as casual star goes viral
Video credit: TNT Sports
Viral pistol shooter Yusuf Dikec has revealed he was far from relaxed during his bid for Olympic gold, despite the internet hailing him the king of calm.
The Turkish silver medallist opted against wearing high-tech ear defenders or goggles in the mixed team 10m pistol event, preferring a simple pair of glasses and yellow earplugs.
It was not long before his casual stance, with one hand in his pocket and a nonchalant glance down range, was noticed by the world.
But Dikec has admitted that his cold-blooded exterior shows masked "storms" that raged inside the athlete during the event's closing stages.
"I did not need special equipment," he told Turkish media last week via Euro News. "I'm a natural, a natural shooter.
"Success doesn't come with your hands in your pockets."
"At that moment, everyone says I seemed very calm, but actually, storms were raging inside me," added Dikec on Thursday, as reported by Reuters.
"I think my shooting pose represented the Olympic spirit very well: the fair play, simplicity, clarity and naturalness. That's why it got so much attention."
- Roberts clambers to Olympic gold in men’s boulder and lead sport climbing to bolster Team GB medal tally
- Breaking at the Olympics: How does the Paris 2024 competition work? How is it scored? When and where is it held?
Athletes from a diverse range of sports quickly caught on to the trend as pole vault champions Nina Kennedy and Armand Duplantis hit the now-iconic pose.
Men's discus gold medallist Roje Stona of Jamaica added his version to a rapidly-growing collection, as did Fenerbahce's Irfan Kahveci when he scored against Lille in the UEFA Champions League.
But despite the millions of views, likes and clicks the Turk generated, Dikec was not satisfied with the silver that he won alongside shooting partner Sevval Ilayda Tarhan.
Turkey finished top in qualifying, but were edged off the top of the podium by Serbia in the final four shots.
"My partner and I will get the gold at the Los Angeles 2028 Games," vowed Dikec.
"I've only lent the gold medal until 2028."
discovery+ is the streaming home of the Olympic Games, and the only place you can watch every moment of Paris 2024 this summer.
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement