Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikec wins silver at Paris Olympics without proper gear

Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikec made headlines at the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024 by securing a silver medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team event.

What made his victory even more remarkable was that he achieved this feat without the proper shooting gear.

The 51-year-old Dikec teamed with Sevval Ilayda Tarhan to claim his first Olympic media in his fifth appearance. He made his debut back in 2008 at the Beijing Olympics.

Dikec and Tarhan competed in the nail-biting final against Serbia’s Zorana Arunovic and Damir Mikec, who came from behind to win the gold. Meanwhile, Indian shooters Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh secured the bronze medal.

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Yusuf Dikec stood out among the crowd of shooters due to his minimalist gear as he opted for regular prescription glasses and earplugs, a stark contrast to the usual array of specialized shooting gear.

Most shooters rely on specialized eyewear for improved accuracy and ear protectors to block out noise during competitions.

Throughout his illustrious career spanning over two decades, the Turkish shooter has achieved remarkable success, securing numerous gold medals in prestigious events such as the ISSF World Championships, ISSF World Cup, European Championships, and European Games.

Social media users praised Dikec for his relaxed demeanour and confidence on the big stage of the Paris Olympics 2024, competing against well-equipped opponents.

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