When Ilona Maher agreed to sign up for season 33 of Dancing with the Stars, she had no idea how to dance. The rugby seven Olympic bronze medalist was basking in the glory of Team USA’s success and willingly accepted a new challenge. However, the rookie couldn’t have gone from finishing near the bottom in her DWTS debut to reaching the finals without her mentor, Alan Bersten.

The 28-year-old is also acutely aware of this fact and doesn’t hesitate to admit it. “I wanted to dedicate this dance to the best partner I could have hoped for on this show, Alan,” Maher wrote on Instagram while posting a clip from their semi-final routine. “This experience has been one I will remember for the rest of my life with fondness because of what you made it for me,” added the Olympian.

“It has not always been easy, and I still can’t figure out how to finish my arms but every hour with you in the studio has been a pleasure.” added the athlete. Ilona Maher’s heartfelt words moved Alan Bersten to tears. The 30-year-old DWTS pro couldn’t help but comment on his dance partner’s post. “And I’m crying,” commented Alan Bersten, after reading his mentee’s heartwarming tribute.

Ilona Maher has silenced many doubters with her performance on the show. “I was always like, you know, called masculine,” the athlete told Sports Illustrated ahead of joining DWTS. So many of these trolls doubted Maher’s ability to succeed at dancing. However, the 28-year-old has proven everyone wrong spectacularly. Even the judges acknowledged her improvements at the semifinals.

“You are the one who has come the furthest in this competition,” said season 33 judge Carrie Ann Inaba. No wonder Bersten felt emotional seeing his protégé come this far and giving him all the credit for her progress. However, the Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten duo still have one last dance left. “Let’s give it our all this week one last time,” concluded the Olympian. However, even amidst their success, there are those criticizing Maher.

How Ilona Maher deals with the naysayers

The rugby seven star has adopted a clear policy of not giving the online trolls any attention. While their comments may have had an effect early on, Maher outgrew the doubts long ago. So, in an interview with TooFab on YouTube, the Olympian explained just how she deals with those needless directing vitriol at her. “Mean people online. We block them,” said the Olympic medalist.

However, she is also thankful for those who have shown immense love and support. Thankfully for Ilona Maher, the good has outweighed the bad. The 28-year-old was genuinely surprised when the DWTS fans bestowed her with the ‘America’s sweetheart’ moniker. “You know it’s so funny cause I don’t I would never picture, I guess, someone like me as America’s Sweetheart, but I will take that,” she told EXTRATV.

However, another thing that’s stuck with fans during the rugby player’s time in DWTS is her chemistry with Alan Bersten. Many even hope the dance partners start dating after the contest. Yet Maher may not be too keen on that idea. “I think it’s a fun rumor to go around. Do I know if I’ll do it? Probably not,” she said after the semifinals.

However, another reason Ilona Maher may seem reluctant is because her goal with DWTS was not to find more fame. Instead, the Olympian hoped to inspire others to stand up to the trolls and the doubters, just as she has. “I want to now make it easier for young girls to love your body,” she told Sports Illustrated. So it’s safe to say that Ilona Maher will once again give it her best shot during the DWTS finals alongside Alan Bersten.