Ilona Maher, Center for Team USA Women’s Rugby Sevens, stole the spotlight on Sunday with an impressive display of power, executing a commanding stiff-arm play during a scoring run against Japan. The moment not only showcased Maher’s remarkable athleticism but also ignited a surge of interest in rugby, especially women’s rugby, among U.S. sports fans, including retired Philadelphia Eagles Center Jason Kelce. In a viral video, Maher playfully recruited Kelce as an official fan of women’s rugby. Kelce enthusiastically responded, “I am officially a fan of women’s rugby, Olympics.” The room subsequently erupted in cheers, Maher celebrating with, “We got Jason Kelce!”
Kelce isn’t the only one. After watching a video of Maher’s run, Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry was also highly impressed, commenting, “Oh yeah, she’s got it. Mindset, running strong and hard, not trying to go down. Get to the end zone by any means. I love it.” Maher followed the enthusiasm with a stellar performance in the quarter-final on Monday, supporting Team USA to an outstanding 17-7 victory over Great Britain.
As Team USA Women’s Rugby Sevens gear up for their semi-final match on Tuesday, it’s hard not to rally behind Maher and team. This is the first time either the men’s or women’s American rugby team has advanced to the Olympics semifinals.
Rugby Champion
From Burlington Vermont, Maher first connected with rugby at age 17, discovering a sport that matched her strength and competitive drive. A natural athlete, she had previously excelled in field hockey, basketball, and soccer. Encouraged by her father, a former collegiate rugby player at Saint Michael’s College, Maher took up rugby and soon won three championships with Quinnipiac University. She earned a spot on the NIRA All-American team for three consecutive years and was honored with the MA Sorensen Award in 2017, recognizing her as the top collegiate women’s rugby player in the nation.
After her senior season in 2018, Maher was named the Most Outstanding Player at the NIRA Championships. Soon after, she debuted for the United States against Japan in 2018 in Paris, France, and has competed for the United States in rugby sevens at both the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo and the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Social Media Impact & #BeastBeautyBrains
Maher shared her Tokyo Olympic journey in a TedTalk, discussing the highs and lows of competition and showcasing how she used TikTok to provide a behind-the-scenes look at life in the Olympic Village. With an impressive social media presence, including 1.5 million followers on Instagram and 1.6 million on TikTok, Maher uses her platform to shine light on women’s rugby while also promoting the importance of body positivity. She embraces the hashtag #beastbeautybrains, celebrating femininity through physical strength, beauty, and intelligence.
In a recent interview with CBS Mornings, Maher addressed the negative social perception of women in sports, stating, “There has always been a divide, with people believing that if you play sports or are an athlete, you can’t be feminine. I feel that I can be a beast, play this very physical and aggressive sport, and still keep my femininity while doing it.” By embracing the #beastbeautybrains mantra, Maher challenges outdated stereotypes, demonstrating that strength and femininity can coexist, further emphasizing her commitment to redefining norms and embracing the diverse qualities of female athletes.
As the excitement builds toward the rugby medal matches at the 2024 Paris Olympics, eyes are on Maher and Team USA Women’s Rugby Sevens, cheering for a victorious finish to their trailblazing Olympic campaign.
