Ilona Maher inspires US youth rugby player to embrace her body

Eseta Moala and her sister Luisa Moala represented the United States at the Youth Olympic Games in Senegal, where they competed in rugby sevens.

The sisters, who carry Tongan heritage, played for a team that finished sixth in the tournament. Despite losing early matches to the Czech Republic and Madagascar, the team secured two wins on the final day of competition.

Eseta Moala shared that she previously felt uncomfortable in sports like ballet and karate because she felt her body did not fit the typical mold. She found a sense of belonging at age 11 when she discovered that rugby offered a space for athletes of her size. She credit's American rugby player Ilona Maher for helping her appreciate her muscular build.

Maher, who helped the US win bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics, uses her social media platform to tell young girls that all body types are worthy of being athletes. Coach Irene Gardner noted that more girls in the United States are showing interest in rugby since the Paris Olympics.

While the national youth program faces limitations such as only having one camp and a few competitions per year, World Rugby is working to increase the sport's visibility in the US. The organization awarded the country the men's Rugby World Cup in 2031 and the women's tournament in 2033.