Antoine Dupont was among those honoured at the World Rugby Awards after being named the Men’s Sevens Player of the Year.
He scored four tries at the Games and proved to be a player for the big occasion, crossing over in the quarter-final win over Argentina and twice in the gold medal match against Fiji.
This came after helping Les Bleus win their first sevens title since 2007 following a series victory in Los Angeles last March.
Dupont fought off competition from international team-mate Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang and Ireland’s Terry Kennedy.
It is the latest accolade in a glittering career for Dupont, who seamlessly made the transition from 15-a-side rugby, having already won the Men’s 15s Player of the Year award three years ago.
‘Gold medal is leaving marks on my neck’ – Dupont jokes about rugby sevens Olympic glory
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This personal award double means he becomes only the second player – male or female – to win both awards – per World Rugby.
Meanwhile, South Africa’s Pieter-Steph du Toit claimed this year’s Men’s 15s Player of the Year award, and is only the fourth male player to win in this category on multiple occasions.
He was instrumental as the Springboks won a first Rugby Championship title in five years, alongside a clean sweep of victories in this year’s Autumn Nations Series, beating Scotland, England and Wales.
Compatriots Eben Etzebeth and Cheslin Kolbe, along with Ireland’s Caelan Doris were also in contention to win the award.
KILDUNNE SCOOPS WOMEN’S POTY
There was also English success to celebrate at the ceremony, with Ellie Kildunne taking the Women’s 15s Player of the Year award.
She played a starring role in helping The Red Roses take another Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam and represented Team GB at Paris 2024. More silverware came in Canada, as England retained their WXV 1 title.
Compatriot Alex Matthews, France’s Pauline Bourdon Sansus and Canada’s Alex Tessier were the other nominees.
Among the other awards on the night included the Women’s 15s and Men’s 15s Breakthrough Player of the year – won by Ireland’s Erin King and New Zealand’s Wallace Sititi respectively.
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