Yusuf Dikeç’s Success and Interest in Shooting
Yusuf Dikeç, who won a silver medal for Turkey in the 10-meter air pistol mixed team competition with his teammate Şevval İlayda Tarhan at the 2024 Olympic Games held in Paris, France, has become a source of inspiration that increases interest in shooting sports. Dikeç’s ability to shoot with one hand in his pocket without using auxiliary equipment such as lenses, eyelids and ear protection, and despite starting the sport late, winning an Olympic medal at the age of 51, has set an encouraging example for many.
People Became Aware of This Sport
Mehmet Avcı, the air weapons trainer of the Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports, stated that the shooting sport has been actively practiced in Kayseri for the last 5 years within the Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports and that national athletes have been trained during this time . Avcı said, “Actually, this sport has existed for years. We have been practicing this sport within our directorate in Kayseri for 5 years. After Yusuf Dikeç and İlayda Tarhan achieved Olympic degrees, there was a great interest in this sport among the public. Everyone learned about the existence and importance of shooting.”
All Ages Are Open to Application
Stating that Yusuf Dikeç’s shooting technique and age have doubled the interest in this sport, Avcı said, “Thanks to Yusuf Dikeç’s success, citizens are researching this sport, calling us on the phone and applying to our directorate. They say, ‘We want to do this sport too.’ “We had 30 active athletes before, but now the demand is quite high.”
Emphasizing that shooting can be done by individuals of all ages, Avcı said, “Yusuf Dikeç is an athlete who started this sport late at the age of 51 and achieved an Olympic degree. There is no specific age group for this sport. While there is a minimum age group, there is no maximum age group. When an athlete moves to the senior category, it does not matter if he is 60-70 years old, he can continue to exist in this sport as long as he can shoot. “I’m 41 years old and my friends, even from older age groups, come to me saying, ‘Yusuf Dikeç has achieved this, why shouldn’t we?'”
