As Calm as a Killer: Olympic Shooter Makes Social Media Laugh

Turkish athlete Yusuf Dikec became a global sensation and social media star after his performance at the Olympic Games in Paris.

This is reported by the BBC.

Dikec, 51, won a silver medal in the 10-metre air pistol mixed team event.

However, the fans were more impressed by something else - the shooter's relaxed behaviour during the competition.

Dikec refused to use specialised equipment and competed in his usual glasses, although athletes are allowed to use anti-reflective glasses for better aiming and protective headphones.

He also stood in a relaxed pose with his hand in his pocket and looked at the target with both eyes.

Yusuf seemed to be enjoying shooting at the range, not competing for Olympic medals, according to the world media.

After his success, Dikec said: "I don't need any special equipment. I am a natural shooter".

The Turkish athlete's success became the subject of humorous posts and memes that garnered hundreds of thousands of likes on social media. A photo of Yusuf Dikec with a gun and his hand in his pocket went viral.

Users compare him to characters from computer games and films.

"Did Turkey send a killer to the Olympics?" - wrote one of the social media users.

"It looks like he was walking in the park and then decided to drop by the Olympics," another joked.

"I think they begged him to participate, and he said: 'Okay, but I'll do it just for the silver, because that's my favourite colour,'" another fan responded.

And billionaire Elon Musk commented on the Turkish athlete's performance succinctly: "Good".

The image of Yusuf Dikec also reminded many of the character of John Wick, played by Keanu Reeves. Commentators emphasise that Dikec, like Wick, demonstrated relaxation and confidence despite the lack of specialised equipment.

Dikec is a former Turkish military officer. He graduated from the Faculty of Physical Training and Education at Gazi University in Ankara and then earned a master's degree in coaching, the Economic Times reports.

The athlete is fluent in English and Turkish. In his spare time, he likes to dance.

He participated in the Olympic Games five times, representing Turkey. But it was in Paris that he managed to win his first medal.

At the European Championships in 2013, Dikec won two individual and one team gold medals, as well as two silver medals in team tournaments.

He has also won two World Championships.