Olympic medalist brings professional expertise to Turkey’s domestic defense production

Yusuf Dikeç’s calm presence and distinctive competition style made him internationally recognizable. Now the Paris 2024 Olympic silver medalist is bringing that experience into a long-term partnership with Turkish arms manufacturer Derya Arms.

The agreement was announced at a signing ceremony on Sept. 4 at CoBAC Workspace in Istanbul’s Haliç district. Dikeç will share assessments based on his professional sporting career and international competition experience, focusing on sporting use and the user experience of Derya Arms products.

The company says its engineering, design, research and development, manufacturing and product development processes will remain under the independent direction of its authorized technical teams. Dikeç’s role will center on feedback from the perspective of a professional athlete.

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We aim to become one of the Turkish brands that are regarded worldwide as a reference in their category. We continually improve our products by bringing together Turkish engineering, our manufacturing capabilities and the user perspective. We believe Yusuf Dikeç’s many years of experience will bring valuable insight to our product and performance work. I hope this marks the beginning of a long-term cooperation.

Derya Arms General Coordinator Hüsamettin Kayhan said the company wants to become one of the Turkish brands regarded worldwide as a reference in its category. He said combining Turkish engineering, manufacturing capability and the user perspective would help the company continue improving its products.

Dikeç said he had represented Turkey internationally for many years and valued the opportunity to share that experience with a brand expanding from Turkey to the world. He said he believed the cooperation would contribute to Turkish sport and the country’s international brand value.

Derya Arms exports about 90% of its production to more than 86 countries. The ceremony also showcased the Derya MAX, DY9Z and Derya MAX Anti-Drone products. The company presented Derya MAX as part of its ambitions in international sporting shooting and IPSC, while describing the anti-drone product as an adaptation of its engineering and manufacturing capabilities to changing security needs.

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I have represented Turkey on the international stage for many years. Being able to share the experience I have gained during this process with a brand opening up to the world from Turkey is very meaningful to me. I believe the cooperation we have started with Derya Arms will contribute to Turkish sport and our country’s international brand value.