While Ilona Maher used to dominating on the rugby field, she is preparing to take on some tough competition in the Dancing with the stars ballroom.

The 28-year-old Olympian spoke exclusively to We weekly on the red carpet at the 2024 Emmy Awards on Sunday, September 15, where she revealed which of her colleagues DWTS candidates she thinks will be the hardest to beat.

“Dwight Howard has such charisma about him, and he’s probably got some killer dance moves,” she told Us. “Even Candlestick (Kinney) is just such a great dancer, technically good. So I think they’re all going to bring something. I think it’s about how you perform and how you do it on the day.”

Maher is one of several athletes competing in season 33 of the ABC series, including Howard, 38, Danny Amendola and fellow Paris 2024 Olympian Stephen NedoroscikBut Maher said he had an athletic background Us doesn’t always translate into dance skills.

Related: Everything You Need to Know About ‘DWTS’ Season 33

It’s almost time to return to the ballroom for season 33 of Dancing With the Stars . The ABC reality competition series was officially renewed in May, and the first contestant for season 33, Olympic gymnast and viral sensation Stephen Nedoroscik, was announced in August. “From Paris to #DWTS!🥉 We’re excited to welcome vaulter @stephen_nedoroscik (…)

“Rugby is so different from dancing,” she said, noting that her athleticism doesn’t give her an edge in the competition “at all.”

Maher said she saw being on the show as a “new challenge” and was excited to break out of her “comfort zone.” She shared, “I always tell girls to try something new. So for me it was like, ‘Try rugby.’ So I’m going to try dancing. And it’s tough, but I’m excited to see how far I can go.”

Every challenge comes with a healthy dose of hard work, and Maher is fully committed to her dance journey with her professional partner, Alan Bersten. “It’s a long time. It’s four hours a day of dancing, pointing my toes, shifting my weight, smiling,” she explained. “So it’s different than what I’m used to and it’s a lot more time. But I’m learning and I love my partner, so it works.”

Maher said Us She hopes she will gain new skills and personal connections from this experience.

Related: 2024 Emmys Red Carpet Fashion

TV’s Biggest Night always delivers on fierce fashion. Stars like Selena Gomez, Jennifer Aniston, Da’Vine Joy Randolph and more are nominated for the 2024 Emmys, which take place at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater on Sunday, Sept. 15, and will be hosted by Eugene Levy and son Dan Levy. Gomez, 32, is nominated for Outstanding Lead (…)

“I’m hoping to learn how to dance and just, like, get to know (the people I meet). I mean, it seems like an amazing environment, just the work environment, the people you meet,” she raved. “So I’m just hoping to learn as much as I can and also leave with really great friends.”

Maher made waves earlier this summer with her viral social media posts about the Paris Olympics and for helping the U.S. women’s rugby team win Team USA’s first Olympic bronze medal in the women’s rugby sevens. In addition to her participation in DWTSshe followed up her Olympic success by appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated swimsuit‘s digital September issue.

Alan Bersten and Ilona Maher.

She has continued her popular posts by sharing glimpses into her life. DWTS preparation via social media. “It’s a neck and neck race for the hottest duo of the season,” she captioned a Thursday, September 12, Instagram photo of herself and Bersten, 30, as they took one of Gleb Savchenko And Brooks Nader‘s steamy rehearsal photos. Bersten copied Nader’s pose by sitting on Maher’s lap and touching her thigh.

Dancing with the stars Season 33 premieres Tuesday, September 17 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time on ABC and will be simulcast on Disney+.

With reporting by Amanda Williams