Antoine Dupont: 5 key moments in an ‘outrageous’ and ‘unprecedented’ 2024
2024 was a special year for Antoine Dupont
Antoine Dupont was already regarded as one of the best players in the game, but 2024 has been the year he conquered the world with unprecedented success.
Following the disappointment of a home World Cup quarter-final exit, the French wizard decided to join up with the French SVNS team in their bid to win Olympic gold; again on home soil.
He quickly became a star in the seven-a-side game, but more importantly he returned to the 15s game a better player and was influential in Toulouse’s double haul.
Here is a run-down of the key moments in a spectacular 2024 for Dupont.
Vancouver SVNS
Dupont‘s SVNS journey began in Vancouver. He made his maiden appearance off the bench in France’s 24-12 win over the USA, but things went up a gear in the clash against Australia. Dupont was selected in the starting team, and chipped in with his first try in the seven-a-side game during the 31-5 win.
France later made it to the third-place play-off, in they again thwarted the USA 42-12, and Dupont also crossed the whitewash on the way to victory.
Champions Cup glory
After dipping his toe in and out of both Sevens and Top 14 action, Dupont turned his full attention back onto Les Rouge et Noir’s charge to Champions Cup glory.
The French magician made key interventions in Toulouse‘s heavy wins over both Exeter Chiefs and Harlequins on the road to the final, and produced one of the greatest performances of all time in their extra-time win over Leinster at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
His performances went a long way in Toulouse lifting an historic sixth Champions Cup title.
Madrid SVNS
After guiding his club side to a European trophy, Dupont returned to the SVNS circuit in Madrid.
He again starred in their run to the Grand Final in the Spanish capital, and came up with a crucial assist in the 19-5 win over Argentina to help guide France to their first SVNS title in 19 years.
The build-up to the Olympics was now in full swing, but Dupont had the small task of ANOTHER club title fight to deal with first.
Top 14 title
Back in the red and black of Toulouse, Dupont went seeking his third title of the season.
After finishing top of the Top 14 table, Toulouse went into the play-offs as heavy favourites; but the title was by no means a guarantee. Dupont’s charges overcame a tough challenge against La Rochelle in the semi-final, but showed their class in the final against Bordeaux.
The French number nine again shone in Marseille. He grabbed two tries and was overall superb in almost every facet of the stunning 59-3 win.
Olympic Sevens gold
Dupont’s journey in the seven-a-side game had all been building up to this moment, but it looked like a tough ask after the opening games. France drew 12-12 with the USA in the opening match of the tournament, and they only just edged past Uruguay at the end of day one.
A tough loss to Fiji at the start of day two looked to have derailed their campaign, but they rallied with a 26-14 win over Argentina to reach the semi-finals.
France then knocked South Africa out at the semi-final stage to set up another date with France in the final, but this is where Dupont came into his own. The Olympic poster-boy scored two tries and contributed one assist on the way to a 28-7 win over Fiji to the delight of the Stade de France.
This was Dupont’s crowning moment, but it rounded off one of the an outrageous calendar year for the Frenchman.
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