Sports
Rugby Star Ilona Maher Breaks Nose, Jokes About Injury After Match
BRISTOL, England — Rugby star Ilona Maher is laughing through the pain after breaking her nose during a Bristol Bears match on Saturday, Jan. 18. The 28-year-old Olympian shared updates on her injury via social media, showcasing her resilience and humor.
Maher was forced to leave the game early after colliding with three players during the match against the Leicester Tigers at Ashton Gate. Despite the injury, the Bristol Bears secured a 43-29 victory. The following day, Maher posted a selfie on Instagram with her nose packed with bloody cotton, giving a thumbs up and captioning it, “Just a little knock.”
As the swelling and bruising set in, Maher continued to share her recovery journey with her followers. In a humorous Instagram reel, she joked about how people might react to her appearance. “I’m just assuming this is how today will go,” she wrote, adding, “Guys, stop fighting over me. There’s enough to go around.”
Maher, who is also a model and appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated‘s digital issue last August, didn’t let the injury dampen her spirits. In another post, she lip-synced to audio from her appearance on “Dancing with the Stars,” holding an ice pack to her swollen nose and captioning it, “No, sir, I am truly not okay.”
According to the National Health Service, a broken nose can take up to six weeks to heal. Despite the setback, Maher remains active on social media, sharing updates and keeping her fans entertained. On Tuesday, Jan. 21, she posted a series of photos from a sauna session, showcasing her figure in a bright bikini and joking about “sweating it out.”
Fans flooded the comments with support and admiration. One follower wrote, “Ma’am the internet can’t handle this level of traffic,” while another added, “You look SO good.” A third fan gushed, “Mommy 🥵.”
Maher’s injury hasn’t slowed her down, as she continues to engage with her audience and maintain her sense of humor. Her updates serve as a reminder of the physical toll of professional sports, as well as the resilience required to bounce back.