Quick Info
| Profession | Air Pistol Shooter |
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| Nationality | Turkish |
| Date of Birth | 01/01/1973 |
| Age | 53 years |
| Birthplace | Taşoluk, Göksun, Kahramanmaraş Province, Turkey |
Latest News about Yusuf Dikeç
05/2025
NATO shared an official promotional video featuring Yusuf Dikeç on its social media channels ahead of an informal Foreign Ministers meeting scheduled for Antalya. The video highlighted Dikeç as a symbol of Turkish excellence and international recognition, generating significant global attention.
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Bio/Wiki
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Physical Stats & More
| Height | 180 cm |
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| Weight | 79 Kg |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Hair Color | Salt and Pepper |
Educational Qualification(s)
| School | Göksun Anatolian High School, Turkey |
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Personal Life
| Marital Status | Divorced |
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| Religion | Islam |
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Relationships & More
| Marital Status | Divorced |
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| Wife/Spouse | Sharon |
Family
| Spouse | Sharon |
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Career
| Overview | Yusuf Dikeç is a prominent air pistol shooter for Turkey, with an extensive career that began in 2001 when he joined the Turkish Gendarmerie General Command shooting team. He is a retired non-commissioned officer of the Turkish Gendarmerie with the rank of Senior Master Sergeant (Jandarma Astsubay Kıdemli Başçavuş) and a member of Jandarma Gücü Sports Club. He made his Olympic debut at age 35 during the Beijing 2008 Games and competed in five Summer Olympics (2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, and 2024). He became Turkey's oldest ever Olympic medallist at age 51 years and 212 days when he won silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and secured Turkey's first-ever Olympic medal in shooting. | ||||||||||
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Some Lesser Known Facts
| 1. Began his military career after graduating from the Military School of Gendarmerie as a corporal. | |
| 2. Served in Istanbul before joining the Turkish Gendarmerie sports club. | |
| 3. Qualified for the 2012 Paris Olympics in shooting but did not reach the final round. | |
| 4. Acclaimed for securing gold medals in major contests, including a remarkable performance in the European Championships. | |
| 5. A lover of animals, he has often been candid about his passion for them. | |
| 6. Gained attention for a photo taken in 2024 during the Summer Olympics where he shot without adequate safety gear. | |
| 7. After winning a silver medal in 2024, he humorously asked his ex-wife to return his dog. | |
| 8. Competed in the Olympic Games in 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020, and 2024. | |
| 9. Became Turkey's oldest ever Olympic medallist at the age of 51 years and 212 days. | |
| 10. Won Turkey's first-ever Olympic medal in shooting at the 2024 Paris Olympics. | |
| 11. Gained international attention for his distinctive shooting style at the 2024 Paris Olympics, shooting with one hand in his pocket, both eyes open, and without ear defenders or a visor. | |
| 12. Became a viral social media sensation during the 2024 Paris Olympics for his calm and composed demeanor while competing. | |
| 13. Viral misinformation falsely claimed he was a mechanic from Istanbul who took up shooting after a divorce; he is actually a seasoned athlete with decades of competitive shooting experience. | |
| 14. Served in Mardin, Istanbul, and Bursa before joining the Turkish Gendarmerie sports club. | |
| 15. Started competitive shooting in 2001 at age 28. | |
| 16. Qualified for the 2012 London Olympics in shooting. | |
| 17. NATO featured him in an official promotional video about Turkey in May 2025. |