Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

'Different gravy' - the Londoner who won gold with Dupont

Written by 
Published in Rugby
Tuesday, 17 September 2024 23:04

And it came out perfectly.

France had seized the moment, the momentum and the medal. Grandidier Nkanang, Dupont and their team, one which had failed to even qualify for Tokyo, had won the hosts' first gold of the Games.

For Grandidier Nkanang, the long road to the city of lights started on Turnpike Lane.

It was there, in Haringey, north London, that his British-Nigerian father Nick Nkanang and his French mother Estelle Grandidier met in the early 1990s.

By the time Aaron was born, five months into a new millennium, they had moved south of the river, but London was always home.

Rugby wasn't on the radar: Grandidier Nkanang's father was into cycling and martial arts, while his mother did yoga.

And Aaron wasn't on rugby's radar.

He first touched the oval ball aged 11, when he started at a local grammar school and found it the dominant sport.

Left behind by his class-mates' growth spurts and struggling to get to grips with the rules, he then stopped playing for two years. He missed another season through injury, reverting back to his first love of basketball.

It was only at the age of 16 - a point where other prospects are already locked into pathways and professional clubs - that he started to take it seriously, finding he had caught up physically and his time on court had sharpened his footwork and handling.

He rose fast and steep - acing trials for Kent, London and the South East and England Counties - excelling at every level.

"I always knew I wanted to be a sportsman," says Grandidier Nkanang.

"I loved competing and the idea of the lifestyle, and I just locked on to rugby as my route."

Until the route ran into a dead end.

"I scored two tries in a win over Ireland Schools and Clubs and the England Counties coaches said there were people watching the game.

"I really hoped I was going to get some traction, but there was nothing.

"I heard London Scottish might be interested, Leicester Tigers - but it ended up being just rumours and echoes."

After a year at university, Grandidier Nkanang took matters into his own hands. He contacted a rugby agent, showed them his showreel and his French passport and asked them to make enquiries.

He got more than echoes back. He visited Brive, Toulon, Castres and Oyonnax. He signed with Brive, mentioned his Sevens experience and the French selectors were soon on the phone.

Read 56 times

Soccer

Southampton vs Liverpool: Slot hails resilient win

Southampton vs Liverpool: Slot hails resilient win

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLiverpool boss Arne Slot praised his team for mounting a second-hal...

Vini, Mbappé connect as Madrid ease past Leganés

Vini, Mbappé connect as Madrid ease past Leganés

Kylian Mbappé ended his goal drought with a thunderous strike and midfielder Jude Bellingham scored...

Marta, Orlando Pride win 1st NWSL Championship

Marta, Orlando Pride win 1st NWSL Championship

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsKANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Barbra Banda's goal stood up as the winner to l...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Sources: Hornets' Williams out for rest of season

Sources: Hornets' Williams out for rest of season

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCharlotte Hornets forward Grant Williams sustained season-ending te...

'Phenomenal' Pippen Jr. shines in dad's ex-arena

'Phenomenal' Pippen Jr. shines in dad's ex-arena

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsScotty Pippen Jr. already had plenty of fond memories of watching h...

Baseball

Carty, 1970 NL batting champ with Braves, dies

Carty, 1970 NL batting champ with Braves, dies

EmailPrintRico Carty, who won the 1970 National League batting title when he hit a major-league-best...

Hays, Finnegan, Rodgers among new free agents

Hays, Finnegan, Rodgers among new free agents

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Outfielder Austin Hays and right-hander Kyle Finnegan -...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated