Who is Ilona Maher, US Olympics star and TikTok sensation?
The rugby star compared the Olympic Village to the Love Island villa and hopes to ‘find love’ there
This Olympic run has given us some iconic Olympian moments: Muffin man, Turkish shooter with no equipment, parmesan lady and of course the Simone Biles/MyKayla Skinner drama. But one of my favourite Olympians to grace my TikTok for you page has been Ilona Maher, rugby player who is currently at the Paris Olympics, playing for Team USA.
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Who is Ilona Maher?
Ilona is a 27 year-old rugby sevens player who helped Team USA to score its first ever Olympic bronze medal this year, defeating Australia 14-12. When she’s not slaying the Olympics, she plays centre for the US women’s rugby team. According to Team USA’s website, she’s originally from Vermont and started playing rugby at 17. She played at collegiate level at Quinnipiac University for three years before making it onto the US team.
She actually follows in the footsteps of her dad, Meineke Maher, who played rugby at St Michael’s College in Vermont too.
Insane TikTok success
She has a dedicated TikTok following of over two million, who love her body-positive and self-love content aside the behind-the-scenes of her interesting life. She actually gained one million of those followers while the Olympics has been in full swing (me included).
Her content is hilarious, and one of her most viral videos is of her comparing the Olympic Village to Love Island. She had to remind herself that she was there to compete, not find love, although wouldn’t that be the perfect place for it?
@ilonamaher I got a text!!@Love Island
Her “villa” content goes down a treat with her fans, and she even shared the exciting news that her friend Naya had “success in the villa” by getting a fellow Athlete’s Instagram:
@ilonamaher Teach me your ways @Naya Tapper
Insta-famous
As well as being a meme queen, she also has a following of three million on her Instagram, where she shares gorgeous selfies and pics from inside her life.
One thing fans love about her is her confidence that inspires so many of her fans. In a recent video, she lifted weights and posted the caption: “‘You may not find a husband if you get too strong.’ Perfect, I wouldn’t want that guy anyway.” You tell them Ilona!
One user commented: “You’re amazing!!! Love watching you play! Father of three athletic girls, who find inspiration from you. Thanks for showing my girls that women RULE!!!”
She has insane celebrity fans
Ilona Maher has met so many A-listers at the Olympics this year, many of whom are huge fans of the rugby star, and documented the experiences on her TikTok page. So far, she has met Snoop Dogg, Tom Brady, Jason Kelce and Coco Gauff, but I expect there’ll be many more to come.
Body positivity content
Ilona is always fighting the body positivity corner, which is just so amazing. In a TikTok posted before the Olympics, she reminded people: “As the Olympics officially start today, I want you all to take a look at all the different body types on display. All body types matter. All body types are worthy, from the smallest gymnast to the tallest volleyball player, from a rugby player to a shot-putter to a sprinter. All body types are beautiful, can do amazing things. So truly see yourself in these athletes and know that you can do it, too.”
@ilonamaher Seen yourself in these athletes @paris2024 @Team USA @Olympics #olympics
Related stories recommended by this writer:
• Simone Biles has a savage response to ex-gymnast’s claims she has ‘no work ethic’
• Raya to the Olympics: Inside Simone Biles and her husband’s controversial relationship
• Simone Biles claps back at haters who slammed her husband for wearing her gold medal in pic
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