Friday, blue tunic on his back, he participated in the large victory of the XV of France (37-23) against Argentina during the 3rd and last match of the Autumn tour. Sunday evening, in a dark suit and white shirt, Antoine Dupont received, in Monaco, the trophy for best player of the year in rugby sevens awarded by World Rugby. A title which rewards an ephemeral but intense season at Seven where the Toulouse native notably won the Olympic title at the Paris Games this summer with France.
« It’s a hard feeling to describe, he explained to L’Équipe, trophy in hand. I thought about the moment I had this gold medal around my neck and all the exceptional moments I experienced with this French team. I told myself that it was a risky gamble but that it was so worth it. I was right to follow my intuition even when at first no one really believed it. I remember the first articles. I don’t have a short memory and I’m proud of the choices I made. I also thank my partners and the staff who allowed me to experience all of this. »
A few days ago, new criticisms coming from Argentina – where the national coach did not understand that a trophy was awarded to a player who had not played the entire season, had caused the start of controversy. But what Dupont remembers is above all “a human adventure”.
“It also gave me more experience even though it’s a different sport,” he said. I played an incredible competition at home. She also helped me with all the technical aspects. Especially the rucks where I was able to improve. As also with the dueling game which I had somewhat neglected. Above all, it brought me excitement discovering a new group and spending time with guys I like. »
For “Super Dupont” the gold medal remains a unique moment which “marks us for life”. “It’s always hard to measure it until you’ve experienced it, especially in rugby where you don’t necessarily have this appetite for Olympics. I discovered it late. This gold medal will unite us forever. »
🏆🌍 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙙𝙪 𝙈𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙚.
🥇🤩 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙊𝙡𝙮𝙢𝙥𝙞𝙦𝙪𝙚.✨ @Dupont9A is elected 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗲! 😍 Well done Antoine! 🔥#WorldRugbyAwards #France7 pic.twitter.com/hgO14vWnFl
— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) November 24, 2024
The first rugby player to have combined the title of best player in the world in both disciplines – Sevens and XV -, the Toulouse native has won almost everything this year. “I couldn’t have asked for anything better than what I’ve been through. I am aware of how lucky I was. I try to savor as much as possible. (…) I have won all the competitions I have participated in. I won individual and collective trophies in each competition. In addition, with Toulouse, it was surely the year when we were the most successful. We didn’t steal anything from anyone. »
From now on he is looking towards the only trophy missing from his list of achievements: the title of world champion with the Blues. “It’s the title that I miss. It is the one that leaves our generation with the most regrets at the moment with this World Cup in France. It’s a scar we’ll have. I hope we can use it to build on the next one and come even closer than we were to go to the end. »
