Turkish viral photographer Yusuf Dikets has already dished out some iconic quotes, but he’s got another one up his sleeve.
In the aftermath of the 2024 Olympics, Dikec spoke about his famously casual yet serious shooting style.
“People say I looked very calm at that moment, but in reality there was a storm brewing inside,” Dykek said. Reuters. “I think my shooting pose very much embodied the Olympic spirit: fair play, simplicity, clarity and naturalness. That’s why it attracted so much attention.”
The 51-year-old Dikek finished second in the 10m pistol mixed team event, competing with teammate Seval Ilayda Tarkhan.
In the final they lost 16-14 to Serbia’s Zorana Arnovic and Damir Mikec.
While Diekek and Turk didn’t win first place, he might have won the real prize: internet immortality.
Following his performance, Dikec made some comments that quickly became a talking point.
“I didn’t need any special equipment,” Dikec said. “I’m just a natural marksman.”
Dikets’ nonchalant attitude has led some to joke about whether he’s a real Olympic participant or just a random athlete sent to represent Turkey, but in fact he has competed in every Olympic Games since 2008.
2024 Paris Olympics
To avoid further suspicion, some joked that Dikec finished second instead of first.
Diekek’s pose and comments created a stir on social media and at the Paris Games, with record-breaking pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis and others recreating his pose after his feat.
Turkish boxers such as women’s boxing medallists Esra Yildiz Kahraman and Hatice Akbas also imitated Dikets’ stance.
The shooter has also garnered notoriety on social media, with new posts on X regularly attracting tens of thousands of likes.
Ultimately, Dickek provided one of the most unforgettable stories from the games in Paris, joining events like Stephen Curry’s breakout performance in the men’s basketball gold medal game and Leon Marchand’s four gold medals.
