Rugby star Ilona Maher is maintaining a positive outlook as she recovers from a broken nose suffered during her first home start with the Bristol Bears.
The 28-year-old Olympic bronze medalist was forced to leave the game early on Saturday, January 18, after a collision with three players at Ashton Gate, according to Essentially Sports. Maher later shared a photo on Instagram showing her smiling and giving a thumbs up, despite her nose being packed with bloody cotton.
“Just a little knock,” she joked, before revealing that she had actually broken her nose during the match.
As swelling and bruising appeared, Maher posted a video on social media, humorously speculating how people might react to her appearance that day. “I’m just assuming this is how today will go,” she wrote.
In the clip, she added with a laugh, “Guys, stop fighting over me. There’s enough to go around.” Maher playfully tucked her hair behind her ears before joking, “What? I am a model. Thank you so much. Oh, you’ve already fallen in love? It’ll pass. It’ll pass.”
In addition to being a rugby player, Maher is a model, having graced the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit’s digital issue last August.
Earlier, Maher shared another video, joking about her injury while lip-syncing to a famous moment from her appearance on Dancing with the Stars. She held an ice pack to her swollen nose and mouthed, “Been better, Carrie Ann,” referencing a tough performance on the show. “No, sir, I am truly not okay,” she captioned the post.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, a broken nose can take up to six weeks to heal.
Despite Maher’s injury, the Bristol Bears secured a 43-29 victory over the Leicester Tigers.
