If you ask people what they associate with the Olympic Games in Paris, it is very likely that they will tell you its name. Turkish shooter Yusuf Dikech became a sensation in the first days of the most important sports forum, as in the final of 10 m air pistol, mix he showed great calm!

With his hand in his pocket, without special glasses and lenses, only with earplugs, Dikech quickly became a favorite of the whole world. He missed the gold but won admiration and millions of fans!

Exclusively for bTV, the Turkish Olympian gave one of his first interviews after gaining world fame.

„Calm“ and, as it were, „allegedly“. You drove many crazy with your performance at the Olympics. But what is behind it?
Y. Dikech: Although it seems that I am standing calmly, storms were raging inside me. I was very excited, there was a lot of tension. But the fact that I look calm is due to the fact that I have been doing this sport for years. Almost 24 years! This is my fifth Olympics. And with each past race I learn to suppress anxiety.

One of the impressive things was, apart from your aura, your posture, of a shooter with your hand in your pocket. Medal with hand in pocket, why?
Yu. Dikech: Of course. Yes, I have my hand in my pocket. It was not usual behavior for this race. And on social networks, some friends commented that my hand was in my pocket. It was like that 11, 12 years ago when I became the first. I was also in the same position at the World Cup. I have been in this position since I started shooting. The reason is that it makes my body more stable to keep my balance, so that’s how I do it.

A lot has been said about you. From your marital status to wanting your dog. Do you even have a dog, what is the truth?
Yu. Dikech: Unfortunately, these comments are false. I don’t have a dog, there is no such topic. I only have one cat and so the other things listed are fake or from fake profiles found in my name.

How did you choose the shooting?
Yu. Dikech: First I was engaged in wrestling for 6 years, but due to reasons beyond my control, I had to leave wrestling. Being involved in shooting is a completely random thing, then I realized that I have talent, but even talent sometimes does not work. I worked very hard and after 2 years I became the champion of Turkey. After I became champion, I realized that if I tried harder and worked harder I could become more successful and I continued on that path.

Are you happy with your performance at the Olympics?
Yu. Dikech: Yes, as I said, this is my fifth Olympics, also for Turkey, the first medal in this sport. I am very happy that I could win this first medal for my country. In general, we had prepared very well. We went with the idea that we would get the gold medal.

Last year when the world championship was held I was in second place, also this year in the World Cup in Brazil I was in first place, also two months ago in Germany I took first place. All in all, we had prepared very well. Our target was the gold medal, we even managed to reach the finals with a record, but let’s say we were not so lucky and therefore missed the gold medal.

Where did you find it easier in individual shooting or in the mix?
Yu. Dikech: It was easier for me in the mix. In the individual shooting I missed the final by one point, and I was more excited, and in the mixed I was calmer, the self-control was better and so we achieved our goal.

People who are experts in your sport comment that you rely solely on your own goggles and earplugs. This makes an impression, especially against the background of well-equipped shooters who look like cyborgs.
Yu. Dikech: Basically, when I shoot, I have both eyes open. It’s not that we don’t have the necessary equipment with which others participated in the Olympics. I just don’t want to use them. I don’t use headphones or special glasses. I only have my prescription glasses.

What is your next goal?
Yu. Dikech: Our next goal is the year 2028, the Olympics in Los Angeles, life and health there we will take the gold medal and put an end to this sport.

Have you thought about what you will do after you are done shooting?
Y. Dikech: Alive and healthy, God willing, I will pass on the knowledge and experience I have to the people who want to engage in this sport, and then I will live a peaceful and retired life, so to speak.

How do you perceive people’s reaction after your participation?
Y. Dikech: The comments all over the world are very positive and that makes us feel very happy. I take this reaction to mean that in the spirit of the Olympics, there is no doping, I don’t use unnecessary gadgets, such as glasses and additional equipment, that this is a competition where you show and people have appreciated the talent of the competitor. People saw here the naturalness, the purity, the clarity. I think that’s why they took my participation so well.

Do you have a favorite meme, collage?
Y. Dikech: They are all very nice, but one made a very big impression on me and I liked it. It was written „Here we found out that silver is more valuable than gold“.

What kind of person are you in life?
Yu. Dikech: I am mainly a calm and positive person, I like to share with friends, I listen to people’s problems in the conversation.

How do you understand and use the expression „at all costs“?
Y. Dikech: As I said, this success is a consequence of 24 years. People have to convince themselves first that they will win and once they do that, they have to work hard and the result comes out.

If at the Olympics it looks like you’re resting, when you’re resting what are you doing?
Yu. Dikech: I am a calm person. Although I appeared to be calm there, inside my world I was agitated.

Do you have a recipe for how you get the hang of it?
Yu. Dikech: There is no recipe, after 24 years of effort one learns how to control oneself. This is the experience of sports.

final theory test