This young champion is radiating the joy of life. Antoine Zeghdar is genuinely happy. Born in the Principality to a Monegasque father, the now private administrator of the Princely Palace’s assets, and a French mother, the best press attaché he could possibly wish for, he admits he is very lucky indeed. And extremely courageous too, since it takes great courage to become an Olympic rugby champion. To stay at the top of his game, at the age of 26, he is also pursuing a rigorous training routine.
Appointed ambassador for the Princess Charlène of Monaco Foundation in April this year, this young athlete is determined to make a contribution promoting sports and participating in drowning prevention initiatives. At the moment, in line with his international rugby sevens career, he is training daily, getting ready for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. At the same time, he is pursuing his final year at the EDHEC business school for an International Bachelor of Business Administration.
Needless to say, he is very busy, but feeling strong, fulfilled and full of enthusiasm. This new ambassador will certainly be very efficient in serving the Foundation’s noble causes.
Hello Monaco: Antoine, where has your rugby journey started from? Weren’t you doing judo before?
Antoine Zeghdar: I was lucky enough to grow up in Monaco, a genuinely sports-loving country. So I tried a bit of everything: basketball, handball, aikido and judo too. Being quite good at it, I was not necessarily enjoying the one-on-one training with my coach. My best friend was then into rugby. So I tried it, and I loved it.
HM: Don’t you find this sport a bit violent?
Antoine: Not so much. There is definitely an element of combat here. But in judo you also fall and there is physical contact too…
HM: Now your whole life is about rugby…
Antoine: Not quite. It is a part of my life only. It’s a passion, and I’m lucky to be able to make a living out of it. But I do believe we should not be focused on just one thing. If so, that would be quite sad…
HM: That being said, your training imposes a rigorous discipline…
Antoine: Yes, rigorous and daily indeed. A healthy lifestyle and playing seven-a-side, rather than fifteen-a-side rugby matches — a format preferred by our French 7s team. But it’s also about home training on your own, using a wristband tracking your performance. It mainly involves running and weight lifting. This routine suits me, however, letting me stay close to my family and friends in Monaco.
From the age of 14, I had to leave home to join the Toulon Rugby Club (RCT) and then move further north, to the Ain region, between Lyon and Geneva… In a word, coming back here and being able to stay is very precious to me.
HM: Don’t you ever take holidays?
Antoine: Very rarely. It’s not easy since you can’t afford to lose momentum. But I like this discipline. I observe it willingly.
HM: Being appointed ambassador for the Princess Charlène Foundation, what does it mean to you?
Antoine: Contributing my bit and promoting the Foundation internationally. It also means sharing my values. I’ve been patron of the Sainte Dévote tournament on several occasions, bringing some thirty rugby teams to Monaco. These exclusively young players under 14 from all over the world are thrilled to come to the Principality! These children are, of course, happy to see me and the other Monegasque athletes readily lending their hands. Those days are fantastic with the young players learning from the high-level athletes. They truly are delighted.
HM: But isn’t the main goal of the Foundation all about the prevention of drowning?
Antoine: It is, indeed. It is the Foundation’s primary goal, organizing awareness days and performing sea rescue drills. I myself have taken part in those. I am a good swimmer, but rescue work truly requires a high level skill. What’s great about Monaco is that children learn to swim, and learn to swim well, from the very kindergarten…
HM: Do you often meet Princess Charlène?
Antoine: Quite often, I’m lucky she also loves rugby. We thus cross each other from time to time at various events.
HM: Is the Princess easy to approach?
Antoine: For me, she’s a woman with a big heart. I find her radiant and open to the world. She really doesn’t have to do it all — bringing together these rugby teams. My first contact with the Foundation was during my South African trip with friends for an amazing match against New Zealand. A wonderful memory that was certainly a turning point in my career.
HM: Speaking of your career… Is there a retirement age for a rugby player?
Antoine: Indeed. Around age 33 or 35, it’s time to stop. Of course, some continue playing as long as possible to make money. I don’t want to do that. I’ll carry on as long as it remains a passion. After that, I’ll move on.
HM: Do you have any other passions?
Antoine: My father used to have horses at a riding stable near Saint-Cézaire, above Grasse. I’ve always enjoyed horseback and even got my level 1 riding certificate. But when I realized I could get seriously hurt falling off a horse and jeopardizing my rugby career, I stopped.
I also played drums in a music band. Sadly, my fellow musicians are all scattered now. If ever we get together again in Monaco, we’ll start it up again.
Another thing, I love travelling, getting out of my comfort zone. Sevens rugby does give me a chance to travel all over the world. I really enjoyed Africa — seeing the animals in their natural habitat is incredible. And Africans are kind, simple… Australia also fascinates me with its people practicing sports as early as 5:00 AM! That’s fantastic.
HM: What projects do you have in mind?
Antoine: Pursuing my goals, upholding my values, surrounding myself with the right people, contributing to the success of the Foundation. I am extremely motivated. Once I am on top of it all, as soon as I have a little more free time, I may then concentrate on any other new projects.
Antoine Zeghdar’s Titles
Antoine Zeghdar is an official champion of the sevens rugby at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Starting from the age of 16, he has already amassed quite a number of titles and medals. Here is the list:
15-A-SIDE RUGBY
• 2016: French U16 Champion
• 2017: French U18 Champion
• 2017: European U18 Champion
• 2019: French U20 Champion
• 2019: World U20 Champion
• 2022: French Top 14 Runner-up (Vice champion)
FRANCE 7S RUGBY TEAM
• 2019: Silver medal at the World Rugby Sevens Series in Vancouver, Hamilton and Hong Kong, Bronze medal in Cape Town
• 2023: Bronze medal at the World Rugby Sevens Series, Hong Kong
• 2024: Bronze medal at the World Rugby Sevens Series in Vancouver, Gold medal in Los Angeles, Silver medal in Hong Kong, Olympic Champion in 7s rugby at Paris 2024
• 2025: Silver medal at the World Rugby Sevens Series in Hong Kong
