Ilona Maher is a person who? Here are some facts about the popular TikTok user and Olympian for US women’s rugby sevens.
Ilona Maher excelled academically At Hamden, Connecticut’s Quinnipiac University, Maher excelled academically.
The U.S. women’s rugby team has advanced to the semifinals of the Paris Olympics, and rugby sevens standout Ilona Maher has become an internet sensation on social media.
She’s been producing uplifting posts about women in sports and humor on TikTok and Instagram. Being a consistent starter for the U.S. women’s rugby sevens squad, she is also delivering some huge hits on opponents at Stade de France.
The attention was amplified by her video, which included recently retired NFL center Jason Kelce as an ardent supporter of the No. 4-ranked U.S. team following their opening two victories on Monday.
Maher, 27, is not unfamiliar with this. She became one of the breakthrough sensations of the pandemic-era Tokyo Olympics three years ago with her amusing reflections on village life.
Maher excelled as a student at Hamden, Connecticut’s Quinnipiac University. According to the institution, she transferred there for her sophomore year and stayed for three years to play rugby while a nursing student.
How did Maher get his TikTok fame?
In Tokyo, spectators were not permitted in Olympic venues, and entry to the athletes’ village is always subject to rigorous regulations. For Maher, those were not obstacles. Her social media followers were given a hilarious behind-the-scenes glimpse at the Games, beginning with the bedding, while fans were left out due to strict social-distancing regulations.
In a TikTok video that received millions of views, Maher and her rugby sevens teammates tested out the cardboard mattresses by doing yoga, CPR on the bed, and even having a faux tantrum.
What is Maher up to at the Olympics in Paris?
More cardboard mattresses, another Olympic village.
“My bed may break, but I’m determined to do it,” Maher declares as she opens the film, which features her and a few of her teammates performing gymnastics routines and Irish jigs in addition to wrestling on the beds. Nothing to worry about losing sleep about.
Maher frequently mentions her teammates from the United States, Nicole Heavirland, Naya Tapper, and Sammy Sullivan. Then there are the individuals she encounters during the Olympics, such as Snoop Dogg (“He’s an insanely cool dude”) and American tennis player Coco Gauff, with whom she struck up a conversation about pickleball. “All 5’10” and 200 pounds of me, a gymnast,” I said to the guy who asked if she was an Olympian and then misjudged which sport she was in. False!”
BeastbeautyBrains: What is it?
Maher hopes to promote body image positivity and increase awareness of women’s sports in general and rugby in particular by using the hashtag #beastbeautybrains.
In a wide variety of images and videos showcasing her Olympic attire, Maher dons everything with pride and apparent ease, from the rugby jersey to the elegant formal Ralph Lauren clothing to the bikini bearing the American flag.
She is strong, as demonstrated by the stiff-arm brushing away of attempted tackles against France and Japan.
She is quick, as seen by her nearly whole field run to score against Japan.
She is intelligent; in addition to earning a nursing degree and becoming a professional athlete, she followed in her mother’s footsteps. The next action is to increase its salary.
Before Friday’s opening ceremony, she sent a brief message to her more than a million Instagram followers summarizing everything.
Every bodily type is important. Everybody’s body is stunning and lovely. So really look at these guys and know that you are capable of doing the same.”
What is the status of the US women’s rugby sevens squad in Paris?
Avenging a loss to the British at the same level in Tokyo three years prior, the U.S. defeated Britain 17-7 in the quarterfinals to proceed to a semifinal match against reigning champion New Zealand.
Maher was crucial to the opening try, releasing Tapper clean on the left wing to score after using her strong fend to elude one tackler and pull in a defender.
Just before halftime, she made another powerful long-range run to make sure the United States maintained its lead.
To secure the victory, Sammy Sullivan and Kristi Kirshe scored tries in the second half.
