Ilona Maher was named the latest Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Rookie of the Year at the 2026 launch party at the Hard Rock Hotel in New York City on Thursday, May 14
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The Olympic rugby star shared her raw reaction with PEOPLE moments after learning she was given the honor
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She jokingly compared the SI Swim accolade to her Olympic medal that she earned at the 2024 Paris Games
Ilona Maheris a winner in more ways than one.
The Olympic rugby star, 29, spoke with PEOPLE exclusively after being named the 2025Sports Illustrated SwimsuitRookie of the Year at the magazine's launch party at the Hard Rock Hotel in New York City on Thursday, May 14.
Maher, who first appeared inSI Swimsuitas a cover star in the 2024 digital issue, made her debut in the iconic magazine's print edition last year. While this shoot marked her sophomore feature, little did she know she would receive the coveted rookie honor at this year's launch event.
Moments after learning the exciting news, Maher celebrated on the red carpet alongside her fellow SI Swimsuit models. Caught up in the excitement, the Olympian shared her raw emotions with PEOPLE while raising the trophy in the air.
"Right up there with my Olympic medal, guys. Right up there," the athlete joked to PEOPLE on the red carpet, pretending to well up with tears as she proudly pointed to the trophy and took in the magnitude of the honor.
Maherwon an Olympic bronze medalwith the United States women’s rugby sevens team at the 2024 Paris Olympics with a thrilling 14-12 win over Australia.
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"We truly changed the game in Paris and did something so monumental,” she told PEOPLE at the time. "We just got a bronze, but honestly, it felt like a gold. And I think even some people, whenever they’re like, ‘Oh, you’re the gold medalist,’ I’m like, ‘Nope just got a bronze.' "
"But ... the reaction to it and because of how amazing it was, it seems like a gold ... We call it rose gold, actually. It's our rose gold," she added.
For herSI Swimshoot this year, Maher posed on the shores of Loreto, Baja California Sur, Mexico in a bold variety of designer swimwear looks from labels like Heidi Fish Swimwear, Andi Bagus, bond-eye Australia and more.
The athlete has long been an advocate for body positivity and self love, and often speaks candidly on the topic across her social media platforms. In one video, she showed off her toned physique and explained that beingstrong is so much better than “skinny."
"'Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels’... Uh, y’all tried being strong? I feel good. I feel well fed. I feel ready to take on anybody," she said while flexing her muscles for the camera. “You guys gotta try this s---. It’s a different level. I’m feeling…woo! I love it."
"And also, have you guys tasted tiramisu? Because that s---... my God," she quipped.
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