Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikec and South Korean shooter Kim Ye-ji have gone viral at the 2024 Paris Olympics for their unique styles and performances. Here are some of the shooters’ backgrounds.
Yusuf Dikec
- Dikec, a 51-year-old Turkish shooter, won a silver medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team event with his partner Sevval Ilayda Tarhan.
- This was Turkey’s first-ever Olympic shooting medal.
- Dikec’s casual demeanor and attire, including shooting with one hand in his pocket and wearing standard prescription glasses instead of specialized shooting gear, made him an overnight internet sensation.
- He has competed at every Summer Olympics since 2008 and is a retired Turkish Gendarmerie officer. Dikec is already preparing for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, hoping to win gold.
Kim Ye-ji
- Kim Ye-ji, a South Korean shooter, won a silver medal in the women’s 10m air pistol event. Social media praised her “main character energy” and dramatic stance.
- Kim’s confidence, composure, and futuristic shooting gear, including a blinder over one eye and large ear defenders, contrasted with Dikec’s casual style and captivated fans.
- Kim is set to compete again in the women’s 25m pistol event qualification on Friday. She is roommates with her teammate Oh Ye-jin, who won gold in the same event.
Dikec and Kim have become unexpected Olympic icons, with the official Olympics account on X calling them “the Olympic #shootingsport stars we didn’t know we needed.”
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