Rugby sensation Ilona Maher has recently been featured on the front cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue for the first time. The talented American is seen to pose in an elegant swimsuit, with the tagline ‘Beast. Beauty. Brains.’ behind her.
The USA Olympic bronze medal winner has gained almost 1m followers on Instagram alone since her exploits in Paris, bringing not only the game into the American landscape but also a universally recognisable global role model.
Ilona’s exploits, alongside her tireless teammates, have brought rugby to the attention of many high-profile Americans, including former first lady Michelle Obama.
Congratulations to the Women’s @USARugby team for their first-ever Olympic medal! What an incredible win! https://t.co/7flod6PRHI
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) July 30, 2024
Just recently, the 28-year-old confirmed her intentions to make the 2025 World Cup in England as part of the 15-a-side USA team in what would be a huge PR win for the tournament.
Despite her incredible successes and overwhelming fanbase, there are still some who look to bring her down for not fitting what some believe to be the ‘ideal female stereotype’. Whilst she claims that these comments don’t affect her personally, she does worry about what it could do to other young women who see these comments.
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Countering these negative comments, Maher joked with journalist Liz Plank during the Sports Illustrated article, saying: “I do have a BMI of 30. Well, 29.3 to be more exact,
“I am considered overweight. But alas, I’m going to the Olympics, and you’re not.”
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Sports Illustrated Swimsuit editor-in-chief MJ Day had the following to say about the star: “Ilona Maher gracing the cover of our September digital issue is more than just a celebration of her athletic achievements—it’s a powerful statement,”
“Ilona is a modern-day role model of strength, conviction and authenticity while at the same time displaying the indomitable spirit of an inspirational human. Her ability to break barriers, both on and off the field, resonates deeply with women everywhere. Ilona’s presence on our cover symbolizes a shift in the narrative—one that celebrates not only physical prowess but also the courage to lead, inspire and advocate for change. We couldn’t feel more excited and inspired by this revolutionary athlete and feminist trailblazer!”
Weighing in on her impressive athletic build, Maher added: “I was always like, you know, called masculine or whatever,”
“But I never felt that way. But I don’t think you’re going to bully the girl who could probably beat you up in a rage. I love that [rugby] showed me what I can do. It showed me how capable my body is and it’s not just like a tool to be looked at and objectified.”
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Fans have been thrilled with the strong female body representation in the recent issue, with Faith Dickey saying: “The body I wish I’d seen on this mag as a young girl.”
Andi Gutierrez noted the incredible impact that this strong rugby player was having on wider society, asking: “How many girls are going to be named Ilona in the next 5-10 years? Lots.”
While NoorJehan simply added: “This single-handedly is filling the void of the Olympics being over!! Such a bada$$!!!”
Read the full Sports Illustrated Swimsuit article here.
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