Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikic about Olympic success and Kazakhstan

Tengrinews.kz - Yusuf Dikec, the 51-year-old Turkish shooter who won silver in the airpistol event at the Paris 2024 Olympics, shared his thoughts on equipment, rising popularity, and Kazakhstan in an interview with Jibek Joly.

"Why did I go out without equipment? Shooting is a sport where you have to be comfortable and focused. When I put it on, I feel very uncomfortable," Yusuf answered the question.

He then addressed how the sudden rise in his global popularity has affected him.

"I wasn’t popular before, but after the Olympics, I can’t walk down the street without being stopped. People congratulate me and ask for photos. The popularity is not only in Turkey but worldwide. People message me on social media and tag me. It’s a wonderful feeling," the shooter said about his newfound fame.

When asked about his journey to winning the medal at the Games and whether he knows any athletes from Kazakhstan, Dikic responded:

"This is my fifth Olympics, but my first medal. I know Kazakhstan’s athletes very well. How could I not? I have competed against them. We communicate with Kazakh shooters. I believe Kazakh shooters will achieve great results in the future. Hard work always pays off, as in my case. I have been in the sport for 24 years. This is my fifth Olympics and first medal.

I plan to compete in the next Olympics. I told my coach that in 2028, I will win a gold medal in Los Angeles. He laughed. We have been friends for 20 years. I will fight and work for the gold," Dikic shared.

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Публикация от Yusuf Dikeç (@yusufdikecofficial)

The 51-year-old Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikic won the silver medal in the summer Olympics in Paris in 2024, marking his fifth Olympic appearance.