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Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang

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Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang
Date of birth (2000-05-18) 18 May 2000 (age 24)[1]
Place of birthBromley, England
Height186 cm (6 ft 1 in)[2]
Weight94 kg (207 lb)
UniversitySt Mary's University, Twickenham
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing/Full-back
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2019–2024 Brive 7 (0)
2024– Pau 3 (0)
National sevens team
Years Team Comps
2022– France
Medal record
Men's rugby sevens
Representing  France
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2024 Paris Team competition

Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang (born 18 May 2000) is a rugby union player. He won a gold medal as part of the France national rugby sevens team at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Early and personal life

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Born in Bromley to a Nigerian father and French mother, he was a keen basketball player in his youth.[3] He is also a DJ, under the moniker 'Aztec'.[4] He attended St Olave's Grammar School. He initially intended to study design at Loughborough University, but earned a scholarship to St Mary's University, Twickenham that allowed him to continue playing rugby at his local club.[5]

Career

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He started playing rugby at St Olave's Grammar School in London and played at county level for Kent U18 and joined his first amateur club Old Elthamians. He joined CA Brive in 2019.[5]

He signed an extended contract with Brive in 2022, and made his debut for the senior France national rugby sevens team. At the Hong Kong sevens during the 2022-23 SVNS season he scored a French record 11 tries in a single weekend.[6][7]

In July 2024, he was confirmed in the French team for the 2024 Paris Olympics.[8] He scored twice in the quarter-final against Argentina to help France reach the semi-finals of the tournament.[9]

He signed for Section Paloise ahead of the 2024-25 season.[10] In November 2024, he was nominated for World Rugby Men's Sevens Player of the Year at the World Rugby Awards.[11]

References

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  1. ^ "Aaron Grandidier Nkanang". Ultimate Rugby. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  2. ^ "Aaron Grandidier Nkanang". All Rugby. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  3. ^ "Rugby à 7 : Quatre choses à savoir sur Aaron Grandidier Nkanang, joueur essentiel du quart de finale contre l'Argentine". L'Équipe.
  4. ^ Thomas, Claire (20 July 2024). "Aaron Grandidier Nkanang: 'Sevens doesn't get the respect it deserves. It's the Formula One of rugby – pure entertainment.'". Rugby Pass. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  5. ^ a b Jaycock, Ben (10 July 2022). "London-born Grandidier now loving life in France". The Rugby Paper. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  6. ^ "Five things to know about France's Aaron Grandidier, World Rugby Sevens Series top try scorer". Olympics.com. 20 January 2023. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  7. ^ "RUGBY. MODEL, DJ, LONDON, FRANCE 7, THE UNIQUE JOURNEY OF AARON GRANDIDIER-NKANANG". lerugbynistere.fr. 8 September 2022. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  8. ^ "Dupont's Olympic selection confirmed as French rugby federation announces squads for Paris Games". abcnews. 9 July 2024. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
  9. ^ Jurejko, Jonathan (25 July 2024). "Ferocious France beat Argentina in Olympics grudge match". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 July 2024.
  10. ^ "Rugby - Section Paloise : un véloce international français à 7 a signé". larepubliquededpyrenees. 15 February 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  11. ^ "England's Kildunne and Matthews nominated for award". BBC Sport. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
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