OLYMPIC GAMES | RUGBY
Who is Ilona Maher? Team USA’s rugby star
The US rugby team qualified for the first time to the semifinals of the Olympic tournament and will now be competing for a medal in their next match.
In the heart of the Olympic village, a force of nature is captivating fans and fellow athletes alike. Her name? Ilona Maher. Born and raised in Burlington, Vermont, Maher was a multi-sport athlete. But it was rugby that stole her heart. At just 17, she discovered the rough-and-tumble world of rugby and never looked back, or so she says.
Maher honed her skills at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut, where she become a three-time All-America selection and winner of the prestigious MA Sorensen Award. She led Quinnipiac to back-to-back NIRA national championships and dominated in 7s rugby.
The Olympics and the first semifinals for team USA
In 2018, Maher made her debut for the United States national team. Fast-forward to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and now to the 2024 Paris Olympics, where the US has qualified for the semifinals for the first time in Olympic history and will compete for a medal.
Social media and public persona
Ilona Maher is active on social media, particularly on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where she has 1.5 and 1.6 million followers, respectively.
She has gained a considerable following for her engaging content, where she shares insights into her training, competitions, and personal life.
Beyond her athletic prowess, Maher uses her platform to advocate for body positivity and mental health, inspiring many with her candid and motivational posts. Standing tall at 5-foot-10 and weighing 200 pounds, Maher defies traditional beauty standards. She embraces her body and encourages others to do the same