U.S. women’s rugby star Ilona Maher took the 2024 Paris Olympics by storm with her dynamic performances on and off the field — ultimately earning a bronze medal. After the Olympics, she took her skills to the dance floor as a cast member of the 33rd season of “Dancing with the Stars,” coming in second place. A TikTok favorite, she’s made a powerful mark on social media with behind-the-scenes videos at the Summer Games.
Her popular Paris videos covered:
Maher previously garnered attention at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, with her videos on:
At the end of 2024, Maher signed with Bristol Bears in England’s top flight Premiership Rugby league on a three-month deal, scoring her first try in her first start. She hopes to take part in the 2025 Rugby World Cup in August.
In addition to her recent success on television and social media, Maher has an accomplished athletic pedigree and career:
Father played rugby at Saint Michael’s College
Began playing rugby at 17
Played rugby at Quinnipiac College for 3 years
Awarded the MA Sorensen Award for National Player of the Year in 2017
Olympics: 2024 Paris Olympics – Bronze medal; 2020 Tokyo Olympics – 6th (Team – Women)
World Championships: 2022 – 4th (Team – Women); 2018 – 4th (Team – Women)
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