Crowned with the French rugby sevens team this Sunday, during the grand final in Madrid, a week after winning the Champions Cup with Stade Toulousain, Antoine Dupont had an exceptional week. This global title for the Blues, the first in their history, is also the symbol of a group with great ambitions, less than two months before the Olympic Games, to which Dupont returned after the final.
“European champion 8 days ago (with Stade Toulousain), world champion in a completely different exercise this Sunday: life is sometimes full of surprises. You must have changed quickly, it’s been a hectic week…
We had to refocus, get back to training. I think the staff managed me very well too. I was able to resume training quite late in the week. I didn’t play the first day of the tournament so it did me a lot of good to get to the end of the tournament in good shape. And then the guys did the job. Especially yesterday (Saturday), we had a bit of a mixed day. Today, we are playing two very high level matches. I think we deserve our place and our title.
You came at 7 for Olympic gold. You played in three tournaments, for two gold medals. We believe in it now, even if it will be hard to do it…
Yes of course, it gives everyone confidence. We all obviously already had the goal of gold. To be able to win and show that we are capable of repeating the victory we had in Los Angeles in a different context, by beating the best teams on the circuit, it shows that we are capable of winning. It will give us confidence. I also hope for enthusiasm for these Games. We will need the supporters, this popular fervor which I hope will carry us.
You had titles at XV, there will surely be more. What place will this take in your CV? It’s 7, a sport that people are perhaps less familiar with…
Yes, but it’s just as pleasant and when you see how difficult it is to play these matches, these tournaments with the physical wear and tear of the third day, the emotions are increased tenfold too. And sharing that with a smaller group is pleasant. There is no clan, everyone shares emotions together and these are also very strong moments.
“Today I am experiencing a different adventure in a sport that is different so I am trying to get all the benefits possible from it”
Speaking of fun, we saw that you discovered a passion for scratching in the rucks. It’s a new string to your bow.
We always try to feed ourselves (from our experiences). Today I am experiencing a different adventure in a sport that is different so I am trying to get all the benefits possible from it. There are things that can be transposed to XV, others less so. I try to use it and above all have fun.
Did the 7 mentally serve as a valve for you to regenerate, to have current play, to have fun?
Of course. We know the entire environment of the 7, what is around: the music, the atmosphere in the stands, a lot of relaxation also between matches. So it’s a lot of good humor, music, dancing, and, at the same time, a lot of seriousness. We don’t want to cheat because the truth on the ground becomes apparent very quickly. »
