Ilona Maher, the US ladies’s middle who lit up the Paris Olympics and have become essentially the most adopted rugby participant on the earth, was hailed as a “feminist trailblazer” after turning into a Sports activities Illustrated swimsuit mannequin.
“Ilona Maher gracing the quilt of our September digital challenge is greater than only a celebration of her athletic achievements – it’s a strong assertion,” mentioned MJ Day, editor in chief of Sports activities Illustrated Swimsuit, on Thursday.
“Ilona is a modern-day function mannequin of power, conviction and authenticity whereas on the identical time displaying the indomitable spirit of an inspirational human. Her potential to interrupt limitations, each on and off the sphere, resonates deeply with ladies in all places.
“Ilona’s presence on our cowl symbolizes a shift within the narrative – one which celebrates not solely bodily prowess but additionally the braveness to steer, encourage and advocate for change. We couldn’t really feel extra excited and impressed by this revolutionary athlete and feminist trailblazer!”
Maher, whose 6m-plus social media followers have helped her unfold a message of physique positivity and the hashtag #beastbeautybrains, mentioned: “I really like that [rugby] confirmed me what I can do. It confirmed me how succesful my physique is and it’s not identical to a software to be checked out and objectified.”
Sports activities Illustrated heralded Maher, who stands 5ft 10in and weighs 200lbs, for being “ready to decorate daring, present some pores and skin and flaunt her hard-earned muscle tissue”, throughout her photoshoot at Fireplace Island, New York.
Now 28, Maher took up rugby in her native Vermont and gained three nationwide championships with Quinnipiac College, from Connecticut. She has performed sevens for the US Eagles since 2018, going to the Olympic Video games in 2021 and 2024. Capped twice at 15-a-side, she just lately introduced plans to compete for choice for the Rugby World Cup in England subsequent yr.
Talking on TikTok, Maher informed followers: “That is rugby 15s, the place what you have been watching on the Olympics is rugby sevens. However that’s simply so cool there’s so many types of rugby so that you can watch.
“I’ll attempt to be there. I’m going to attempt to make that crew, see if they’ll use me someplace on that discipline.”
Maher was distinguished on social media earlier than the Olympics however her performances in Paris – and posts in time away from the sphere – made as a lot of an affect as her crew’s dramatic run to a bronze medal.
Again within the US, headlines included “Who’s Ilona Maher and why is [ex-NFL star] Jason Kelce her superfan?” and “America Has a Breakout Star of the Olympics – and She Performs Like an NFL Operating Again”.
Alan Gilpin, chief government of World Rugby, acknowledged Maher’s star energy when he informed AFP: “Ilona is indubitably a famous person of those Video games. Full cease. She is rugby’s most adopted athlete, has a following that’s better than most, if not all, of the family names in Paris, and attracted an additional 300,000 Instagram and 100,000 TikTok followers in a single day.”
Again on US soil, Maher has been busy. Final week she celebrated her birthday by showing on NBC’s flagship discuss present, Late Night time with Seth Meyers.
Requested how she bought into rugby, Maher mentioned: “So I’ve at all times been an athlete. You most likely can inform by these shoulders. However my dad was a rugby participant, performed for like, 40-plus years now … he by no means bought us into rugby, however I wished to strive.
“My senior yr of highschool, I performed in a single recreation, and I feel it simply clicked for me, prefer it’s a sport that simply actually encourages you to be bodily and present what your physique’s able to. Like, they need you to run as quick you may, they need you to sort out as arduous as you may. I feel that simply actually allowed me to specific myself.”
Requested what impact her success may need in introducing Individuals to her sport – earlier than the US hosts Rugby World Cups in 2031 (males) and 2033 (ladies), Maher informed Meyers it had been “enjoyable to see … so many individuals tune into our final video games [who] don’t even know what’s taking place … don’t know what a ruck is, no person is aware of what the scrum is. However to see folks tune in and see like, wow, they need to play a enjoyable sport, it’s actually superior.
“As a result of we need to get folks into sports activities. As a result of I do know what it’s performed for me and the way it’s modified my physique confidence, by making me really feel so good about myself, and I do know it could do it for thus many different women. So I’m so glad they only bought a style for it, and possibly they’ll go to their native membership, their native school, and check out it out.”