France Wins Gold in Thrilling Olympic Rugby Sevens Final

In a stunning finale to the Olympic men’s rugby sevens tournament, hosts France emerged victorious, claiming the gold medal with a resounding 28-7 win over defending champions Fiji at the iconic Stade de France.

The match, played in front of a packed crowd of 69,000, showcased the brilliance of star player Antoine Dupont, who scored twice and assisted in another try. His efforts propelled France to its first team gold medal in Olympic history amidst a wave of celebration.

Fiji, a team renowned for their dominance in the sport, found themselves outmatched in the second half as France scored three unanswered tries after holding a slim lead at halftime.

Dupont made a swift impact after returning from a break, helping Aaron Grandidier Nkanang score before sealing the deal with two tries of his own. Meanwhile, South Africa secured the bronze medal, beating Australia 26-19 in an earlier match, echoing their previous finish at the Rio Olympics.

France had a solid path to the final, defeating South Africa 19-5 in the semi-finals, while Fiji triumphed over Australia with a convincing 31-7 victory to reach their third consecutive gold medal match.

The final match also attracted high-profile attendees, including French President Emmanuel Macron and Fiji President Wiliame Katonivere, along with IOC President Thomas Bach, all keen to witness this historic showdown.

In a post-match interview, Antoine Dupont expressed his emotions, declaring, “It’s such a great honor to win this title. This is just the cherry on the cake,” while Aaron Grandidier Nkanang couldn’t believe their victory, saying, “It’s an incredible story.”

Fiji’s captain Jerry Tuwai reflected on their loss, stating, “We came for the gold but we have to settle for the silver. France was too good for us today.» Meanwhile, South Africa’s Ryan Oosthuizen shared pride in their bronze medal success, noting their unexpected journey as the last team to qualify for the Games.

World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont praised the event as a watershed moment for rugby sevens, highlighting the records set and the standout performances of athletes throughout the tournament. “Paris has been perfect in every sense,” he noted, foreshadowing more exciting matches to come as the women’s teams prepare to take the stage next.