ANTOINE ZEGHDAR
Maison Labiche meets Antoine Zeghdar, a professional rugby player and Olympic medalist. Saturday, July 27th was a golden day for Antoine and his teammates on the French Rugby Sevens team, as they became Olympic champions. Today, we’re fortunate to sit down with him and revisit that extraordinary moment.
Currently playing in the Top 14 with Castres Olympique, this 25-year-old originally from Monaco discovered rugby at age 12, thanks to a friend who invited him to a practice. He quickly fell in love with the sport, drawn to the team spirit and the self-discipline it demands. By 18, he had turned professional and joined several top French clubs.
It’s with a great emotion that Antoine reflects on his Olympic medal, which he considers one of the most defining moments of his life. He describes the Games as an extraordinary time, filled with the excitement that swept through Paris that summer and the incredible atmosphere at Stade de France during the matches. Proud of this achievement, Antoine is eagerly looking forward to reuniting with his teammates and kicking off another season of Rugby Sevens tournaments.
Today, he has chosen to have “huit” (“eight”) embroidered—a number that has been with him all season, appearing on his jersey. The number holds special meaning for Antoine, as it features in both of his parents' birth dates. It symbolizes luck, and when turned horizontally, it becomes the symbol of infinity, representing timelessness and love. There’s no doubt that the number eight brought him good fortune last July.
In rugby, as in all team sports, words are essential. Communication is crucial to staying connected with teammates. On a broader scale, Antoine has a deep admiration for the French language, which he finds beautiful and incredibly rich. For him, words hold immense power, capable of bringing both smiles and tears.
ANTOINE’S WORDS
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Word of the day?
Romantic. We’re in Paris, the city of love.
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FAVORITE AUTHOR?
Victor Hugo. I’m a big fan of poetry.
And Nekfeu, because I find rap much more interesting when there’s real meaning behind the lyrics. -
YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE OR SAYING?
“It’s the time you have wasted for your rose that makes your rose so important.” The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
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A SONG LYRIC?
“Ne me quitte pas” (Don’t leave me) by Jacques Brel, especially the line, “I will offer you pearls of rain from lands where it does not rain.” (Moi je t'offrirai des perles de pluie venues de pays où il ne pleut pas.)
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A WORD THAT DEFINES YOU?
Resilient. In Rugby Sevens, we talk a lot about resilience because it’s an extreme sport where you constantly push your limits.
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A WORD THAT CHANGED YOUR LIFE?
Discipline. In high-level sports, talent alone isn’t enough—you need discipline to keep moving forward.
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A WORD THAT COMFORTS YOU?
Mom.
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A WORD THAT INSPIRES YOU?
Diversity.
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A WORD OF LOVE / A SWEET WORD?
“To life, to love.” A shoutout to one of my teammates, it’s his favorite saying.
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A WORD THAT BORES YOU?
Procrastinate.
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A WORD THAT ANNOYS YOU?
Judgment.
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THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WORD?
Wonder. It’s important to appreciate the simple things.
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A WORD FOR THE 2024 OLYMPICS?
Exceptional. The organization, the energy… It’s hard to grasp the Olympic experience without living it.
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A WORD TO DESCRIBE RUGBY SEVENS?
Spectacular. It’s an intense sport, a rush of action and speed.
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FINAL WORD?
Passion. Living off your passion is an incredible feeling.
