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- Burst onto the international scene
- Has been head-hunted by rival codes
Australian rugby sevens sensation Maddison Levi has revealed the powerful motivation behind a striking nude photo shoot that stunned fans and celebrated the strength of elite female athletes.
The 22-year-old, one of the country’s most decorated and dynamic rugby players, posted three images to Instagram.
They include a tasteful full-body nude portrait captured in black and white.
It’s a bold move from an athlete best known for her record-breaking performances on the rugby field, but Levi says this shoot was about far more than the aesthetic.
In the caption accompanying the post, she wrote: ‘Unreleased but something I can’t wait to share with you guys.
‘I took part in a shoot with @circlezeroeight to showcase how strong our bodies have to be as athletes to carry us through triumphs, tackles and everything in between.
Maddison Levi has taken the rugby world by storm and has been head-hunted by rugby league clubs as well
She took part in a nude photo shoot for UK magazine CircleZeroEight to show the strength female athletes need to make it a the top level
Levi admitted posing for the shots was out of her comfort zone, but was proud of the end result
‘A little out of my comfort zone but could not be more proud of the results.’
She ended the post with a simple message to her fans: ‘Can’t wait to show you all the full story soon.’
The photo shoot was created in partnership with CircleZeroEight, a UK-based multimedia platform that blends sport with style and culture.
Founded in 2021 by former GQ Style editor Elgar Johnson, the platform aims to inspire and educate through stories that highlight the global influence of sport and the physical and mental strength behind athletic success.
Levi’s post quickly drew praise from across the sporting world.
Brisbane Broncos NRLW star Bridget Hoy commented: ‘I’m speechless! What a strong woman.’
Australian boxer Kate McLaren added: ‘This is so powerful! Amazing work Sis x’
Followers flooded the post with messages of praise.
Levi’s bravery attracted plenty of positive comments including from other athletes across multiple codes and disciplines
Levi posing with the World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year trophy that she won in 2024
‘What a body! I love this kind of athlete photo and you are magnificent!’ wrote one.
Another posted: ‘What real, strong, talented women look like.’
‘You’re absolutely incredible,’ another added.
Born on the Gold Coast in 2002, Levi first made her name playing for the Gold Coast Suns in the AFLW before switching codes to pursue rugby sevens.
She made her Olympic debut in Tokyo in 2021 and never looked back.
Her breakout came in the 2023–24 World Rugby Sevens Series, where she scored a record 69 tries – the highest total ever in a single season.
That performance earned her the 2024 World Rugby Women’s Sevens Player of the Year award.
She also became the fastest Australian woman to score 100 career tries in the series, doing so in just 15 events.
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, she broke the Australian record for most tries in a single Games with 14.
Though Australia fell short of a medal, Levi’s impact was undeniable.
In March 2025, she overtook Charlotte Caslick to become Australia’s all-time leading women’s sevens try-scorer, with over 200 tries.
Despite growing interest from other sporting codes, including the NRLW, Levi has pledged her loyalty to rugby sevens.
Her sights are firmly set on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where she hopes to help Australia reclaim gold.
