At his first Olympics, UK born Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang won Olympic gold for France.
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At just 24, Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang can call himself an Olympic champion. A gold medalist for France in Rugby 7s, his journey from London to competing in the biggest international arena, is a story of bold decisions, cultural shifts, and overcoming obstacles.
Early Life and Discovery of Rugby
Aaron’s story began in London, where he spent his formative years exploring different sports. Though he dabbled in various activities, including basketball—which never quite caught on in the UK—rugby was introduced to him at the age of 11. By 16, a new rugby coach at school changed everything. In just one game, Aaron fell in love with the sport. His coach pointed out that he was a player with raw talent. He possessed all the necessary qualities to succeed if he committed fully to the game. That pivotal conversation transformed his mindset, setting him on a path to professional rugby.
Leaving London for France
Despite his growing passion for rugby, Aaron’s early attempts to break into the sport were met with challenges. At 18, he struggled to find any local rugby clubs interested in his abilities. Determined not to let this setback end his dream, he began broadening his search. Leveraging his French heritage through his mother, Aaron found an agent and, at 19, made a life-changing decision. Leaving behind his girlfriend, family, friends, and a part-time modeling career, he moved from London to a small town in France—a move that brought with it a massive cultural shock.
Struggles and Setbacks in Professional Rugby
Once in France, Aaron’s full-time job became training in rugby. “I was over the moon,” he recalls, feeling that each day brought him closer to his dream. However, the initial excitement gave way to unexpected challenges. Aaron struggled to connect with the coaches and fellow players and experienced a hard time fitting in. He faced a fall from grace as he struggled with low confidence and a sense of isolation. The rigid hierarchy within the team made him feel like an outsider, and his nonchalant teenage attitude didn’t help matters. Navigating these ‘office politics’ at just 19 was humbling and a hard lesson to learn.
Team France won the gold medal in men’s rugby 7s at the Paris Olympics.
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Olympic Triumph
Aaron’s persistence began to pay off when he started training with the national Rugby 7s team while still playing for the Rugby 15s. By his third year, he felt a newfound sense of belonging with the 7s squad. “The 7s team was amazing. I felt like I belonged—I was playing with players that looked and talked like me,” he says. Even when his form dipped six to seven months before the Olympics, his coach’s continued encouragement helped him regain his rhythm. Read my Forbes article on his Olympic teammate, Antoine Zeghdar.
Future Ambitions and Continuing the Journey
Now back playing Rugby 15s full time in France, in between rounds of golf during his limited free time, Aaron’s journey is far from over. The risks he took—leaving behind a comfortable life in London, and signing with French rugby—have all contributed to his current success. With the Rugby 15s World Cup in 2027 on the horizon and a clear goal to pursue another Olympic medal in 2028, Aaron is as driven as ever. His Olympic gold medal, carefully kept in a display case, is both a reminder of past triumphs and a symbol of the new challenges he is determined to conquer. Inspired by the encouraging words of his high school coach and the unwavering support of his family, Aaron continues to push his limits, stay focused, and ready to embrace the next bold challenge.
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