Turkish sharpshooter Yusuf Dikeç wins silver at Paris Olympics with minimal gear, becomes internet sensation

Turkish sharpshooter Yusuf Dikeç didn’t need special lenses or big ear protectors to win the silver medal in the air pistol team event at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

With one hand in his pants pocket, Dikeç, 51, shot his way to second place, marking a historic moment for his home country and catapulting himself into internet fandom.

Serbia’s Damir Mikec and Zorana Arunović won gold and India’s Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh took bronze.

Shooters are allowed some freedom in what they wear, The Associated Press reported. Most wear large ear protectors and visors or blinders over one eye to help with focus and to reduce the glare of the lights.

But Dikeç skipped the fancy, high-tech gear and wore just small yellow earplugs and a seemingly regular pair of glasses. His partner, Şevval İlayda Tarhan, also didn’t wear any blinders and kept one hand tucked in her pocket. Their win was Turkey’s first medal in an Olympic shooting event.

“I did not need special equipment. I’m a natural, a natural shooter,” Dikeç was quoted as telling Turkish media, according to EuroNews.

Fans quickly took notice and celebrated him for his laid-back, casual demeanor.

“No lens, no headphones, just vibes,” Eurosport wrote on X. “Turkey’s Yusuf Dikeç wins silver and fan’s hearts.”

“Turkey sent a 51 yr old guy with no specialized lenses, eye cover or ear protection and got the silver medal,” a user wrote.

In contrast, South Korea’s Kim Ye-ji also went viral this week after she was seen at the 10-meter air pistol women’s event Saturday featuring futuristic lenses with a “Paris 2024” blinder and a cool, effortless demeanor.

A fan quickly dubbed her the “James Bond of [the] Olympics.”