ISTANBUL - Yusuf Dikec, a Turkish Olympic silver medalist shooter, said Thursday that he does not favor using equipment like lenses, eye caps, or ear protection during competitions and that he feels quite uncomfortable with such gear.
Upon arriving at Istanbul Airport on a Turkish Airlines flight from Paris, Dikec and his team were greeted by Turkish Ministry of Youth and Sports officials and enthusiastic young athletes after he earned a silver medal for Türkiye in the 10-meter air pistol mixed team competition at 2024 Olympics.
"We might appear at ease, but inside we are battling a storm, and it feels like our hearts might burst. We strive to keep this from showing. Since I shoot with my both eyes open, I don't find the equipment very comfortable. I believe that highlighting one's talent is essential," Dikec said.
"The attention from the global media has been both uplifting and motivating for us. I didn’t anticipate such a level of recognition; it caught me by surprise," he added.
Dikec went to on say that In 2024, he ranked among the top 5 or 7, and he earned a medal following the quota.
"This achievement represents not just our effort but also the support of 85 million people in Türkiye. It’s a testament to teamwork—much like a theater production, where everyone has a specific role," he said.
"When each person performs their part effectively, it results in something truly remarkable. We gave our utmost effort, and the outcome was a success," he stressed.
The 51-year-old retired senior master sergeant with the Turkish Gendarmerie added that he secured the quota a bit later this year.
Dikec said that his next goal is the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, "We will get the gold medal in 2028 and then, God willing, I think it is time to let it go."
Sevval Ilayda Tarhan and Dikec bagged the silver medal in the 10 meters air pistol mixed team competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Tuesday, after losing the final to Serbia 16-14, which marked the first-ever Olympic medal for Türkiye in shooting.
Dikec has previously won two gold medals in the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) World Championships, one gold medal in the ISSF World Cup, and five gold medals in the European Shooting Championships.
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