Antoine Zeghdar

Rugby golden boy

By Caroline Stefani

From tatamis to rugby • • • His passion for the oval ball game is rooted in friendship rather than family. “I was born in Monaco, a land of sport. I started with judo but missed the team spirit.” A friend introduced him to rugby, and this tall, dark-haired player (1.97m) quickly proved his worth on the pitch. He started in the Monegasque club before attracting the attention of Pôle Espoir Rugby. “That day, I had to make a big decision. I’d only played for three years, and joining the team meant giving 100% to the sport.” Aged just 14, he left family and friends behind to join the French Rugby Federation’s coaching programme and board at school in Hyères. He played for Stade Niçois before joining RC Toulon, aged 18.

Champion’s mentality • • • Over the years, Antoine has learned the importance of physical and mental preparation. “If you’re not in the right frame of mind, you can’t be good on the pitch. I lived with some incredibly talented rugby players who didn’t need to push themselves in training, but I did. I’ve learnt discipline and hard work. And I’ve incorporated nutrition, meditation, and recovery techniques into my routines. I understood that I needed that to perform well.” But most important for Antoine is his family and friends – his cocoon, vital to his equilibrium. “I go back to Monaco for a week every month, and I take the opportunity to spend time with family and friends and deal with media requests. I go for cryotherapy at the Thermes Marins. I take time to read and meditate. The Principality is where I was born. It’s where my roots are.”

Olympic Dream • • • Although the sportsman plays for Castres, a 15-a-side rugby club, he has been made available to the French sevens team. The final of the qualifying tournament dashed his hopes of reaching the 2019 Olympic Games, but it was only a temporary setback. Although France qualified automatically for the 2024 Games, the French team was named only three weeks before the opening date, and “the wait was interminable” - right up until he set foot in the Olympic Village. “It was amazing to be with the greatest athletes in the world. You’d find yourself at lunch in the canteen next to Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz. The French were close. It’s amazing to know that athletes like Karabatic follow you and cheer you on.” And the day finally came when he wore the gold medal around his neck, “a unique feeling.” But far from resting on his laurels, Antoine is already looking to the future. His objectives? The 2027 World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games.

[ 1999 ] Born on 22 May in Monaco. 

[ 2011 ] Takes up rugby and joins AS Monaco Rugby.

[ 2013] Leaves his family to join the Pôle Espoir Rugby. 

[ 2015 ] Signs with RC Toulon. 

[ 2019 ] Under-20 Rugby World Champion and selected for the French Sevens Team. 

[ 2024 ] Olympic gold medallist.