Antoine Dupont wins rugby sevens award despite limited play
- Antoine Dupont was awarded World's Rugby Seven Player of the Year 2024 in Monaco.
- His nomination faced backlash due to limited participation in sevens compared to full-time players.
- This award raised questions about recognition fairness for players based on their past successes rather than current contributions.
In November 2024, during the World Rugby Awards held in Monaco, Antoine Dupont, a prominent French rugby player, was awarded the title of World's Rugby Seven Player of the Year. This decision sparked controversy, particularly from Santiago Gomez Cora, the coach of the Argentine men's rugby sevens team, who expressed concern that Dupont's nomination was inappropriate given the rigorous commitment expected from full-time sevens players. Dupont's recognition was primarily viewed as a result of his established reputation rather than his performance, as he participated in only four tournaments, including the Paris Olympics, and had limited starting opportunities. Despite his sporadic involvement in the sevens format, Dupont's impact was significant, leading France to victories in key competitions including the Olympic title. His exceptional track record in rugby union has overshadowed his contributions in the sevens discipline, raising questions of fairness in awarding individual accolades. The awards highlighted Dupont’s achievements in both formats, but it was noted that he did not receive any acknowledgement for his performance in rugby union, where South Africa's Pieter-Steph du Toit was recognized instead.