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"Had to show em how it's done" - Ilona Maher shows off her lifting prowess to "shirtless dudes" on a beach
Ilona Maher flexed her lifting prowess to a few "shirtless dudes" on a beach who she joked were struggling with their weightlifting form. The two-time Olympian is active on social media and known for her sense of humor.
Maher led the USA Rugby Women's team to a maiden bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, scoring tries in all of their group-stage matches thanks to her strong runs. She then competed on the 33rd season of Dancing With The Stars.
In an Instagram post on Monday, Maher shared a series of pictures from Miami Beach and said that she had noticed a few people struggling with their weightlifting form. The Olympic medalist added that she joined them and flexed her technique.
"Spotted some shirtless dudes with terrible form lifting in the sand so you know I had to join and show em how it’s done," she said.
Maher has spoken out against body shaming and believes her strong build is her strength. After flaunting it on the cover of Sports Illustrated, she told the publication:
“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.”
Ilona Maher moves to Rugby 15s ahead of the 2025 World Cup
Ilona Maher signed a three-month contract with Premiership Women's Rugby club Bristol Bears for the remainder of the 2024/25 season. The two-time Olympian last played Rugby 15s in 2021 and plans to qualify for the 2025 World Cup, which is also taking place in the United Kingdom.
"I want to put myself in the best position to hopefully be selected for the World Cup. I think there are many reasons. I really love what the PWR is doing and I think I love their branding, I think that’s really cool," Ilona Maher told the Guardian.
Maher played as a utility back for the USA Women's Rugby Sevens team at the 2024 Paris Olympics and now plans to play in the center and wing for the Bears. She, however, intends to return to Rugby Sevens for the 2028 L.A. Olympics.
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