Turkey’s Shooter Yusuf Dikec Steals Spotlight Again, Wins Gold At European League

Last Updated:October 06, 2025, 19:16 IST

Dikec’s relaxed yet focused style brought back memories of the Paris Olympics, where he made headlines for competing without the usual protective equipment

News18

Yusuf Dikec, the Turkish shooter who gained worldwide fame for his cool and casual style at the 2024 Paris Olympics, has once again captured attention with his effortless charm and precision at the European Champions League of Air Weapons. Dikec played a key role in leading Turkey to three gold medals at the event held recently in Istanbul.

Wearing his signature polo white T-shirt and glasses — a stark contrast to the high-tech gear worn by many of his rivals — Dikec calmly took aim and fired a flawless shot that has since gone viral on social media.

Alongside teammate Mustafa Inan, he defeated Germany’s Christian Reitz and Paul Frohlich 2-0 in the men’s team final, securing gold for Turkey.

Dikec’s relaxed yet focused style brought back memories of the Paris Olympics, where he made headlines for competing without the usual protective equipment like headphones or specialised shooting glasses. His silver medal win in the mixed 10-metre air pistol event made him a global sensation, with many fans and commentators praising his nonchalant approach.

The video of his winning shot in Istanbul has been widely shared online, drawing admiration for both his skill and distinctive flair.

On Sunday, Dikec celebrated the victory on social media, posting a photo of his gold medal along with the caption, “The GOLD MEDAL won at the end of the challenging 3-day competition."

Before turning to professional shooting, Dikec served as a non-commissioned officer in the Turkish Gendarmerie. His relaxed posture and confident demeanour have sparked a wave of online memes, with some even likening him to the fictional spy James Bond. Notably, Tesla CEO Elon Musk shared a video of himself mimicking Dikec’s iconic stance.

Last year, Dikec applied to trademark his unique shooting pose to protect its commercial use, following reports that others attempted to register it without his permission. His coach, Erdinc Bilgili, explained that this step was necessary to safeguard the signature style that has become synonymous with the Turkish shooter’s global image.

(With inputs from agencies)

News viral Turkey’s Shooter Yusuf Dikec Steals Spotlight Again, Wins Gold At European League

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