Yusuf Dikeç, who is on the world's agenda, speaks out: I am receiving astronomical job offers

National shooters Yusuf Dikeç and Şevval İlayda Tarhan, who won the silver medal in the mixed team 10-meter air pistol category at the Paris 2024 Olympics, were guests at the Anadolu Agency (AA) Sports Desk.

Regarding their experience before the competition where she and her teammate Yusuf Dikeç brought Turkey its first-ever Olympic medal in shooting, Şevval İlayda Tarhan said:

"Yusuf and I sat down and talked, saying, 'Partner, what shall we do tomorrow, how shall we do it? We are ready for the gold medal.' Actually, we prepared ourselves very well. We also had a very good process before the final. (The gold medal) It just wasn't meant to be. We had a very close, neck-and-neck competition."

Regarding his teammate with whom he achieved historic success, Yusuf Dikeç said, "Ilayda and I have been training together for 2-3 years. She has worked really hard. Before we left, I was talking to Ilayda a lot and we were consulting with each other. Of course, Ilayda is lucky; I was able to reach a medal in my 5th Olympics, while Ilayda did it in her first. Hopefully, she will achieve even greater successes from now on."

When asked what has changed in his life after becoming a global sensation, Dikeç gave the following response:

"There isn't much that has changed in my life. What has changed? This t-shirt has changed, this is new. And most importantly, of course, the Olympic medal. Three days ago, I went to the Turkish Olympic Preparation Center. The young friends there asked the same question.

I told them, '15 days ago, I was eating the same food here, drinking the same water, and talking to you. 20 days from now, it will be the same.' I hope this stance of ours does not change. I have never called this success mine; this is the success of our country. I share this success with everyone who loves it. Beautiful things multiply as they are shared."

Regarding his viral fame on social media—a platform where he did not even have an account before the Olympics—Dikeç stated, "I am not someone who uses social media actively. However, I have realized that our era requires it. The reason I opened (a social media account) is not to share as Yusuf Dikeç, but to share the Republic of Türkiye and its beauties.

As for job offers, many people are calling and asking. Of course, we have a line. There are high offers as well. No matter what, we will not change this line. We will keep our country at the forefront," he assessed.

Stating that she met with a sports psychologist before the final, Şevval İlayda said the following:

"In disciplines like ours, where the mental aspect is at the forefront, it is much more beneficial not to deviate from your routine. I just had my daily conversation with my family, received their well wishes and prayers, and entered the final the next morning. When we first walked out into the final arena, I was very excited. We went out there ready to win a gold medal.

Because I knew we were ready for this, I was very excited when I went out. After a while, I calmed down, and my sense of control and judgment increased a bit more.

It was a pleasant and beautiful experience for me. Although we started to feel that happiness slowly when we returned to the Olympic Village, I still didn't fully feel like I had won a medal until I came to Turkey. When I got together with my family, I involuntarily became emotional, and my eyes filled with tears. I don't remember ever crying from happiness until today. For the first time, I cried from happiness."

Stating that she has dreamed of an Olympic medal since the day she started sports, Şevval İlayda spoke about her goals, saying, "Like many athletes, I want more Olympic medals.

Of course, I want more Olympic records. I am aiming for a very long career. There is an athlete in our discipline who has participated in their 10th Olympics. One of my goals is to break that record. It looks like a long journey. I hope it progresses as I wish."

Regarding the significance of Yusuf Dikeç in her life, whom she addresses as 'older brother,' Şevval İlayda commented, "Yusuf's meaning to me is immense. Beyond sports, we are like siblings. We have a relationship where we can comfortably call each other whenever we need anything, and we can chat very easily and share our troubles.

I truly see him as my older brother, and I love him very much. He is very precious to me. The reality that Yusuf might one day retire and leave due to the age difference between us makes me a little sad."