Ilona Maher, a popular American rugby star and “Dancing With the Stars” runner-up, has announced her move to the United Kingdom to play for the Bristol Bears in the Premiership Women’s Rugby league. Speculation about her move began in October while she was still a contestant on “Dancing With the Stars.” After finishing as the runner-up on the show, Maher confirmed the news on her social media, joking about looking forward to a roast in Bristol. Maher rose to fame during the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and further solidified her status as a rugby star by helping the U.S. women’s team win bronze at the 2024 Olympics. She then took on the challenge of “Dancing With the Stars” to showcase the multidimensional nature of rugby players. Despite some struggles on the show, Maher’s vulnerability and determination endeared her to fans who consistently voted for her. Her fellow “DWTS” castmates, including her partner Alan Bersten, have shown support for her new rugby career. Maher’s move to the Premiership Women’s Rugby league marks a change in format for her, as she typically plays rugby sevens but will now be playing rugby 15s, which has longer matches and more players per team. Fans eagerly await Maher’s performance with the Bristol Bears as she continues to showcase her talent and adaptability across different platforms.
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