Ilona Maher, the rugby dynamo turned viral sensation, had a year to remember in 2024. First of all, obviously for bringing the USA a rugby medal in a century. In October, rumors started doing rounds that Maher was considering teaming up with the Bristol or Gloucester teams to boost her chances in the Rugby World Cup 2025. While nothing concrete happened on that front at that moment, she took her talents to a different pitch- she partnered with Alan Bersten to compete at the Dancing With the Stars season 33. She came out with flying colors there as well by securing the runner-up position. Right after that, it was Rugby time for Maher as, bringing the speculations to a close, she joined the Bristol Bears on a 3-month contract. But that did not mean she was bidding goodbye to dance.

After her time with the Bristol squad ended, Maher, who boasts a massive 4.9 million followers on Instagram, announced that she would be returning to the show’s 2025 live tour. “Drumroll please… VERY excited to announce I’ll be joining the “Dancing with the Stars Tour” a little bit early starting on April 2nd in Phoenix, AZ and dancing through the second show in Los Angeles on April 6th. See you there!” Maher wrote, much to the delight of the fans. But wait, have you ever thought what it takes to shift continuously from dance to rugby? Maher herself gave an account of that in January in an interview. And that is not something very pretty.

You might have the perception that having the stamina of a rugby player dancing would be a cakewalk for Maher. The truth is, despite both being physically exhaustive, the build needed for the two activities is remarkably different. The muscle usage is not the same in them. Rugby requires an athlete to bulk up, but dance usually elongates the muscles, which is why Maher shed weight during her time at DWTS. And for obvious reasons, Maher did not like it.

“It was tough for me because I’m so proud of what my body does on the rugby pitch. I don’t think I could have done what I did at the Olympics in the same way because of the dancing. I’m hoping to get back to the physical shape of rugby and to pack on the muscle and to feel like I’m ready to take a hit,” Maher had said in an interview with Parade. She did not mince her words to declare, “I’ve always found my body is for a purpose, not for aesthetics. I go for function over form.” So is this why she just made a move that shocked her followers?

In a candid Instagram reel posted by her and captioned “the dance world will miss me for sure”, Maher announced she’s hanging up her dancing shoes for good. “Hey everyone, after careful consideration, I have decided to retire from dance,” she declared, her tone equal parts reflective and resolute. This wasn’t some off-the-cuff decision—Maher made it clear this was a tough call, one she mulled over deeply before hitting record.

Calling herself a “fresh old dancer” and a “pro,” she playfully acknowledged her DWTS journey, where she and Bersten dazzled audiences en route to a second-place finish. “I think I gotta hang out my dancing shoes,” she added, signaling the end of an era that saw her salsa and freestyle her way into the spotlight. Maher’s reel was all about keeping it real with her followers. “I just wanted you all to hear this from me,” she said, preempting any tabloid spin that might hit newsstands. “I don’t know what the tabloids will say tomorrow, but this is my decision.” It’s a classic Maher move—straight talk, no filter, delivered with that signature charm.

She admitted the choice wasn’t easy, noting, “It was hard to make because I was like kind of up there with the best in the world.” That’s no exaggeration—her DWTS freestyle was a testament to her ability to hang with the elite. Yet, she emphasized this was about her own path, saying, “This is for me, and I hope you all support that.” With relief in her voice, she even mused, “If I ever have to learn another step again, I think I’ll be happy.” What’s next for this multi-sport phenom now that dance is in the rearview?

As Ilona retires from dance, rugby takes front seat

Ilona Maher’s rugby career is a testament to her grit, talent, and relentless drive, a journey that’s taken her from a Vermont high school pitch to Olympic podiums and beyond. At just 17, seeking a new challenge after softball, she coincidently discovered rugby at the South Burlington School Rugby Football Club, inspired by her father, a former player at Saint Michael’s College. This pivotal moment launched her into an outstanding career at Quinnipiac University, where, playing center, she led the Bobcats to an incredible three National Intercollegiate Rugby Association (NIRA) championships between 2015 and 2018! So, looks like she will go back to rugby with full force.

Notably, after ending her three-month stint with the Bristol Bears, Maher got visibly emotional as she bid farewell to the team with a tearful Instagram post. “Thank you for having me England,” she said in a video message on March 3. “My time with the @bristolbearswomen was so special,” she had said. Her final game for the Bristol Bears was the semifinal of the Premiership Women’s Rugby, where her squad was defeated by Gloucester-Hartpury. Maher played in seven games for the Bears since signing in January and scored four tries including a 70-yard stunner against Exeter Chiefs. Interestingly, she did not rule out a comeback with the Bears.

“I never say never, I think it was amazing that even I got to come and play here for two and a half months,” Maher had said. She had even declared that she was a “Bear for life”. “The girls were so welcoming and made me part of the team and I got to play with some of England’s best players and Wales and Scottish, so it just set me up to be more successful at the World Cup. I’ll be playing against them – I wish I was playing with them but it was amazing,” she had further added. But it is not only Maher who benefitted out of the association.

Her debut drew a club-record 9,240 fans, smashing PWR attendance marks. Online followers also saw a jump. With the 2025 Rugby World Cup looming and her focus fully back on her sport, it remains to be seen how parting ways with dance will improve her performance in the long run.