Swimsuit

Rugby Star Ilona Maher Shares Silly Take on Her Pre-SI Swimsuit Photo Shoot Fitness Routine

The Olympic bronze medalist posed for the cover of our digital September issue.

Ananya Panchal

Ilona Maher was photographed by Ben Watts in Bellport, New York.
Ilona Maher was photographed by Ben Watts in Bellport, New York. / Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated

Pro rugby player Ilona Maher is adding SI Swimsuit cover star to her already stacked résumé. The Olympic athlete, who brought home Team USA’s first bronze medal in rugby at the Paris games this summer, makes her brand debut on the front of the September digital issue. The 28-year-old traveled to Bellport, New York and posed on the gorgeous Fire Island Beach in a series of fun, bold, quintessential Long Island-inspired looks for photographer Ben Watts.

The Vermont native, who has recently become a social media sensation for her empowering, insightful content and comedic side, is a fierce advocate for body positivity and equity for female athletes. Maher uses her platform to inspire women and she isn’t afraid to call out brands, leagues or sports organizations when they fall short. Her confidence and athletic prowess is palpable, and she’s constantly making followers laugh and smile with her sense of humor.

In a new Instagram post, Maher shared a quick behind the scenes video filmed just before stepping in front of the camera on set with SI Swimsuit.

She held onto a boat’s upper railing and completed four pull-ups without any hesitation. “Easyyyy,” Maher said after dismounting. “I feel good. I feel primed.”

“If you heard me count only 4 reps, you’re mistaken. It was actually 400,” Maher jokingly captioned the clip that she shared with her 3.8 million followers.

“Seeing you win makes my heart sing. 🙌get em girl!!” Kendall Toole exclaimed.

“These photos look INSANE !!! MAJOR Queen Energy,” one fan gushed.

“And you owned that photo shoot!! 🔥🔥🔥,” another agreed.

“Someone cast her as Wonder Woman,” one user declared.

Ilona Maher
Ilona Maher was photographed by Ben Watts in Bellport, New York. Swimsuit by Myra Swim. / Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated

View Maher’s full gallery here, and read her cover story here.

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Ananya Panchal
ANANYA PANCHAL

Ananya Panchal is a writer on the Lifestyle and Trending News team for SI Swimsuit, where she covers fashion, beauty, pop culture and the internet’s favorite personalities and trends. She joined the brand in 2022 after roles at Bustle, the San Francisco Chronicle and the TODAY Show. Panchal loves to write about fashion in all its forms—from standout runway moments and evolving street style to the best accessories to elevate each season’s wardrobe (she rarely goes anywhere without a stack of jewelry and a coffee in hand). A self-proclaimed beauty fanatic, she’s always on the hunt for must-have products and loves breaking down viral trends. Her favorite series at the moment is spotlighting female founders and the stories behind the brands they’ve built—especially those shaping the future of fashion, wellness and tech. She is based between New York City and San Francisco and, when she’s not writing, can be found rewatching One Tree Hill, playing sudoku, trying new restaurants or ranking her favorite Disney Channel Original Movies. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and journalism with a minor in criminal justice from Boston University.

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