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Ilona Maher reflects on her DWTS journey, sharing gratitude and pride after an incredible season ending as runner-up.
American rugby star Ilona Maher has captured hearts once again this time not on the rugby field but on the grand stage of Dancing With the Stars.
The Paris Olympic medalist and her dance partner, Alan Bersten, finished as runners-up in the 33rd season of the hit reality show.
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Despite falling short of the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy, Maher penned an emotional note reflecting on her incredible journey.
“Thank you for everything, guys. You voting is the reason we got to 2nd place. Of course, it’s no first but honestly, we won in many other ways. So lucky to have been partnered together and shared this amazing journey. We will remember this forever,” the 28-year-old athlete wrote in an Instagram post shortly after the finale.
The grand finale of Dancing With the Stars was a three-hour spectacle that had viewers on the edge of their seats.
Contestants competed in two nail-biting rounds: the Redemption Round, where they revisited past routines for a chance to perfect them and the high-energy Freestyle Round, showcasing their creativity and versatility.
Maher and Bersten delivered a standout performance, earning 27 points in the Redemption Round and three perfect tens in the Freestyle Round for a flawless score of 30.
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After the judges’ scores and audience votes were tallied, Maher and Bersten narrowly missed the top spot to Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson.
However, their second-place finish marked a triumphant end to a season full of passion, perseverance and memorable performances.
In an interview with Good Morning America earlier this month, Maher opened up about the challenges of balancing her training for DWTS with her career as an elite athlete.
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Fresh off her Paris Olympics success, Maher described the dance competition as physically demanding and mentally taxing—an experience she likened to competing on the world stage.
“It’s been almost like another Olympics in a way; I think I knew that it could be really big,” she said.
“For me, it’s the showing that how powerful and how important it is to be strong physically and mentally, like to see my muscular body that is not that flexible. Still haven’t learned to do a split, probably won’t.”
Maher’s journey was as much about self-discovery as it was about competition.
The Olympic rugby star, known for her incredible strength, stepped out of her comfort zone to master complex choreography and express herself in a new way.
Her partnership with Alan Bersten was a cornerstone of her success, with Bersten often praising Maher’s resilience and adaptability.
“Ilona is one of the strongest people I’ve ever worked with,” Bersten said.
“She brought so much strength and versatility to every routine, and that’s what made her stand out.”
Maher’s fans played an instrumental role in her success throughout the season, voting tirelessly to propel her and Bersten into the finals.
“This journey has been about so much more than winning,” Maher emphasized in her heartfelt post.
“It’s about growth, pushing limits, and showing people that strength comes in many forms.”
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