Dikec Yusuf, a 52-year-old mechanic from Istanbul, recently found himself on the Olympic podium with a silver medal in shooting. His journey into the sport began unexpectedly after a heated argument with his ex-wife, Sharon. Seeking an outlet, Yusuf first picked up a gun during a particularly frustrating divorce mediation session.
With no formal training, no specialised equipment, and dressed in his everyday jeans and T-shirt, Yusuf’s approach to shooting puzzled many professional shooters. He often shot with one hand casually tucked into his pocket. Despite this, he consistently performed well, often shooting near-perfect rounds.
“I never imagined I’d be here,” Yusuf commented. “I was just aiming for a weekend with the kids.”
Yusuf’s raw talent and determination, combined with his unique style, led him to success at the Olympics. Competing alongside Şevval İlayda Tarhan in the 10-meter air pistol mixed team event, the duo achieved a historic victory by securing Türkiye’s first Olympic medal in shooting. Despite facing fierce competition, they narrowly lost to the Serbian team in a closely contested final.
Standing on the podium after winning silver, Yusuf made a straightforward declaration: “Sharon, if you’re watching this, I want my dog back.”
