Ilona Maher's dance partner Alan Bersten makes feelings known after being included in her best moments of the year

Olympic medalist rugby player Ilona Maher's dance partner from 'Dancing with the Stars,' Alan Bersten reacted to his inclusion in Maher's best moments of the year. The 29-year-old rugby player shared glimpses of her year's best moments on her Instagram, ahead of the new year.

Maher's selection of images included a photo of her hugging the choreographer during the grand finale of the 33rd season of DWTS. Bersten took to the comments to write:

"Yes!!! I made the cut"

Screengrab of Alan Bersten's comment [Image Source : Ilona Maher's Instagram]

Maher had captioned the post on Instagram:

"2024 you were downright spectacular ✨"

The photographs included Maher's photoshoot for Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit edition, as well as her stint at the Paris Olympics. The rugby player also included the moment, when she posed with a Bristol Bears jersey.

Ilona Maher contributed to the USA's historic bronze medal in the rugby sevens at the Paris Olympics 2024. Despite losing to the eventual champions New Zealand, the USA women's rugby team went on to clinch the bronze medal, their first Olympic medal in this event.

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Ilona Maher's heartfelt note for Alan Bersten after the conclusion of DWTS

Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten at Dancing with the Stars [Image Source : Ilona Maher's Instagram]

Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten had teamed up for the 33rd season of the dance reality show "Dancing with the Stars." The duo delighted audiences and the jury with their dancing skills, as they went through to the grand finale.

After the finale, Maher penned an emotional note about her experience on DWTS. She wrote,

"Thank you for everything, guys. You voting are the reason we got to 2nd place. Of course, it’s no first but honestly we won in many other ways. So lucky to have been partnered together and shared this amazing journey. We will remember this forever."

In another post, Maher thanked the organizers of "Dancing with the Stars" for providing a platform to show her dancing skills. She wrote,

"What a wild, intense, insane ride it has been. I met so many fantastic people and had the experience of a lifetime. Turns out, I’m not a natural ballroom dancer, but I’m so proud of myself for how I’ve improved and to where I’ve come. These are two very different people in these photos. Thanks for embarking on this journey with me."

Ilona Maher will soon join the Premiership Women's Rugby League as a player for the Bristol Bears. She will also reunite with Alan Bersten as one of the special guests for the DWTS Tour 2025.