Overview

• Maher made her ESPYs debut at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on July 16 and won Best Breakthrough Athlete.
• As a newly minted Adidas athlete, she swapped her Adizero RS15 cleats from the Paris 2024 Olympics for minimalist black sandals featuring a single toe strap and thin stiletto heel.
• Her cutout halter gown combined long draped panels, a plunging neckline and side cutouts, complemented by gold square hoop earrings, a slicked-back updo and a bold red lip mirrored in her pedicure.
• In her acceptance speech, Maher spoke openly about her body-image struggles, framed strength as beauty and urged viewers to support the upcoming Women’s Rugby World Cup.
• The rugby star’s red carpet turn and stage presence illustrate her evolution from Olympic medalist and viral influencer to a prominent advocate for body positivity and women in sports.