Aurélien Canot, Media365, published on Monday November 18, 2024 at 11:26 a.m.
Elected best player in the world at XV in 2021, Antoine Dupont is this time nominated for the same prize but in Rugby sevens. This summer, the superstar of the Blues allowed the French team to win the gold medal of the Games Paris 2024 Olympics.
Antoine Dupont best player in the world at 7 after having been at XV? Voted best player in the world in rugby union in 2021, the French rugby superstar is now seeking the same distinction, but in rugby sevens. Dupont, who was one of the heroes of French sport this summer during the Paris Olympic Games 2024, in the same way as the judoka Teddy Riner or the swimmer Léon Marchand, is one of the nominees for the title of best player in the world at 7 in this year 2024. There are three to apply for the prize, and another Frenchman, teammate of Dupont, wearing the blue, white and red jersey this summer in the capital, is also part of the list. This is Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang (24 years old), center of this 7-a-side French team which won gold at the Stade de France and ex-brive winger who now plays on the wing of Pau en Top 14. The Irishman Terry Kennedy constitutes the third name for this trophy which should, barring any surprises, go to the star scrum half of the XV of France and Stade Toulousain already rewarded this season with the title of best player in the Champions Cup after the new success of the Toulouse but also best player of the year in Top 14, again after the new coronation of the Rouge et Noir. “Super Dupont” also won everything recently at the Oscars Midi Olympique and the Nuit du Rugby.
Dupont not named for the XV
On the other hand, one thing is certain: the number 9 who had decided to abandon the XV of France to offer himself a parenthesis at 7 with the sole aim of propelling the Blues to the roof of Olympus – with the result that we know – will not be voted best player in the world at XV this year. Due to not having played enough international XV matches this season, the captain of the Blues is not named. The three South Africans Eben Etzebeth, Cheslin Kolbe and Pieter-Steph du Toit and the Irish third row Caelan Doris will therefore compete for this trophy to which Pauline Bourdon Sansus will be able to claim among the women. The Frenchwoman is one of the nominees, along with the English Ellie Kildunne and Alex Matthews, as well as the Canadian Alex Tessler.
