Yusuf Dikeç (b. 1973) is a Turkish shooter. A soldier holding the rank of Senior Master Sergeant in the Gendarmerie, Dikeç has won five World Championship titles and four European Championship titles in his shooting career. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, he won a silver medal alongside his teammate Şevval İlayda Tarhan in the 10 metre air pistol mixed team event, securing Türkiye’s first ever Olympic medal in shooting. His calm posture and equipment-free shooting style during the competition attracted widespread attention on social media globally.

^{Atıcılık ve Avcılık Havalı Silahlar Türkiye Birinciliği Müsabakalarında Ferdi Sıralamada Büyük Erkeklerde Yusuf Dikeç, Türkiye Rekoru Kırdı-2004 (AA)}

Dikeç was born in a small town where discipline and respect are valued as key principles. He served for many years in the military. As a Senior Master Sergeant in the Gendarmerie, he competed under the Gendarmerie Strength Sports Club. He retired from military service two years ago.

He began shooting sports at the age of 28. His introduction to the sport was accidental; while passing through a shooting range, he tried shooting and enjoyed the experience enough to pursue it seriously. According to his own account, the sport was not widely known or media-covered in Türkiye at that time.

Dikeç began his Olympic career at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In his first participation, he later admitted that he struggled with the pressure and excitement of competition despite years of intense preparation. Nevertheless, he maintained his belief in his ability to succeed at that time.

He also competed in the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Olympics. At the 2013 Mediterranean Games, he won Türkiye one gold and one silver medal. In 2014, he became world champion in both the 25 metre standard pistol and centre fire pistol events. Throughout his career, he has won a total of five World Championship and four European Championship titles in both rapid-fire and air pistol disciplines.

^{2024 Paris Olimpiyat Oyunları sonrası karşılama (AA)}

The 2024 Paris Olympics marked Dikeç’s fifth Olympic appearance. At the event, he competed alongside his teammate Şevval İlayda Tarhan in the 10 metre air pistol mixed team category. The pair advanced to the final at the Châteauroux Shooting Centre by breaking the Olympic record. In the final match, they were defeated 16-14 by the Serbian duo of Zorana Arunović and Damir Mikec, earning the silver medal. The Indian pair of Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh won the bronze. This result is recorded as Türkiye’s first Olympic medal in shooting and also Türkiye’s 105th medal in the history of the Summer Olympics.

During the final match, Dikeç displayed a markedly different appearance compared to other shooters. While most competitors used specialized glasses that restrict vision to one eye, large ear protectors, and coloured lenses, Dikeç shot wearing standard glasses, a single yellow earplug, and an ordinary T-shirt. He kept his non-shooting hand in his pocket. This minimalist appearance quickly became a viral image worldwide.

^{Paris 2024 Olimpiyat Oyunları 10 metre havalı tabanca karışık takım mücadelesi (AA)}

Dikeç employs a shooting technique based on aiming with both eyes, a method rarely used among shooters globally; the majority of athletes aim with one eye. He states that this preference resulted from extensive personal research and provides him with a healthier and more effective shooting posture. He explains that because he shoots with both eyes, he does not require special lenses or glasses.

Regarding his habit of keeping his hand in his pocket while shooting, Dikeç clarifies that this posture is not an aesthetic choice. According to him, it aims to minimize body sway, stabilize the torso, and improve trigger control. He emphasizes that this stance helps maintain bodily balance, enhances focus, and increases concentration. He also notes that this posture motivates him and makes him feel more comfortable during shooting.

Footage captured during the Paris 2024 Olympics spread rapidly across social media platforms. Dikeç’s minimalist appearance was frequently compared to fictional pop culture characters, particularly James Bond and John Wick. His background as a former military officer added further depth to these comparisons. Social media users described Dikeç’s posture using expressions such as “insane aura.”

Dikeç’s images were often contrasted with those of South Korean shooter Kim Ye-ji, who was also viral during the same period. Kim won a silver medal in the women’s 10 metre air pistol event and gained attention for her calm demeanor. The French Embassy in Ankara posted a message in Turkish on its official social media account to congratulate Dikeç. Türkiye’s Minister of Sports, Osman Aşkın Bak, shared a photo recreating Dikeç’s iconic pose along with a congratulatory message. Dikeç’s images were shared widely on social media by numerous public figures, including businesspeople.

Dikeç’s Instagram account, which features posts about his cat, also attracted public interest. This led to his recognition as a “cat lover” as well.

^{Armand Duplantis (AA)}

Dikeç’s viral posture was subsequently adopted by athletes in other Olympic disciplines as a form of celebration. Swedish pole vaulter Armand Duplantis, after breaking the world record and winning Olympic gold, imitated Dikeç’s pose in celebration. Dikeç responded by praising the post on social media, and Duplantis reciprocated. Jamaican discus thrower Rojé Stona performed the same celebration after winning gold. Australian pole vaulter Nina Kennedy also replicated the pose after becoming champion in the women’s category. The same stance was observed again at the end of the men’s 10 kilometre open water marathon event.

Following the Paris 2024 Olympics, Dikeç gave numerous statements to national and international media outlets.

In an interview with Turkish radio station Radyo Gol^【1】, he explained that he shoots with both eyes and therefore does not require special equipment. He reiterated that keeping his hand in his pocket is not an artistic choice but rather something that motivates him and enhances his comfort during shooting.^【2】

In an interview with Turkish television channel TGRT Haber^【3】, he noted that shooting with both eyes is a rare technique globally, even surprising officials. He emphasized that winning the medal was no surprise but the result of intense preparation and hard work.

In an interview with BBC Turkish on 5 August 2024^【4】, he stated that his success was the culmination of a goal he had believed in since 2008. He expressed pride in having won Türkiye’s first Olympic medal in shooting in the history of the Republic. He declared that he views the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as the final goal of his career and aims to win a gold medal there. In the same interview, he noted that the Turkish Shooting Federation provides athletes with necessary equipment, but he chose not to use it because he did not feel comfortable with it.

In an October 2025 interview with Italian sports newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport^【5】, he said his life had not fundamentally changed after winning the medal and remained centered around training, tea, family, and focus. He revealed that his cat’s name is Tarçın and that it is a seven-year-old British Shorthair. He described his shooting posture as “calm certainty,” explaining that keeping his hand in his pocket gives him comfort and prevents overthinking. He also spoke about his daughter, stating that her patience, love, and belief in him played a significant role in his achievements.

In an interview with beIN SPORTS Türkiye on 26 December 2024^【6】, he explained that his iconic posture originated when he began placing his hand in his pocket to minimize body movement. In the same interview, he mentioned having a close friendship with Serbian rival Damir Mikec, who won gold in the final, and that they address each other as “amcaoğlu.”

^{Yusuf Dikeç ve kızı Başak Dikeç (AA)}

Yusuf Dikeç has one daughter. He has stated in multiple interviews that his daughter is a major source of motivation for him. He also owns a seven-year-old British Shorthair cat named Tarçın. He says he loves animals and that his cat brings peace into his life.