These Olympic Shooters Have Such “Main Character Energy” That People Can’t Stop Talking About Them

 

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Una publicación compartida por The Olympic Games (@olympics)

One of the best things about the Olympics is that they offer a window to lesser known sports, such as pistol shooting. And while the participants have dazzled the world with their marksmanship, two athletes have particularly stood out for looking undeniably cool while competing.

First, it was Kim Yeji who caught the world's attention. The 31-year-old won the silver medal in the women's 10 meter air pistol, appearing with an air of effortlessness and a lot of style. The athlete donned a backwards hat, which combined with her specialized lenses, created an instant Olympic icon. Additionally, it was later discovered that she also carries her daughter's elephant doll in her pocket as a good luck charm during competitions, which only added to appeal.

At the 10 meter air pistol mixed team event, the attention turned to Yusuf Dikeç. Unlike most competitors, 51-year old Dikeç didn't wear specialized lenses or ear protection. Instead, he just showed up wearing his glasses and a t-shirt. As if that wasn't cool enough, he competed with a hand in his pocket. In the end, he walked away with a silver medal, which he shared with his teammate Şevval İlayda Tarhan. When asked about his lack of aids, Dikeç told the press, “I did not need special equipment. I'm a natural, a natural shooter.”

The incredible images both photographers and camera operators captured of them soon won them countless fans. They also inspired memes and fan art—with the most elaborate ones imagining them as rival hitmen or a former teacher and pupil coming together for one last job. Some people online even joke about them only winning silver as to not raise suspicions, like the movie The Incredibles once suggested. While it's unclear if they've met, they surely exist in the same universes and storylines in the artists’ minds. And while many athletes have won medals, no one has looked this smooth winning them.

Shooters Kim Yeji and Yusuf Dikeç have not only won Olympic medals, but they've also looked incredibly cool doing it.

Kim Yeji, from South Korea, won the silver medal in the women's 10 meter air pistol, appearing with an air an effortlessness and a lot of style.

Embed from Getty Images

At the 10 meter air pistol mixed team event, the attention turned to Yusuf Dikeç. The 51-year-old used no eye aids or ear protection, shooting with a hand in his pocket. He still walked away with a silver medal.

Although they're not on the same team, they inspired memes and fan art—with the most elaborate ones imagining them as rival hitmen or former teacher and pupil coming together for one last job.

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Regina Sienra

Regina Sienra is a Staff Writer at My Modern Met. Based in Mexico City, Mexico, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications with specialization in Journalism from the National Autonomous University of Mexico. She has 10+ years’ experience in Digital Media, writing for outlets in both English and Spanish. Her love for the creative arts—especially music and film—drives her forward every day.
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