England rugby star Ellie Kildunne has spoken out about her personal struggle with body dysmorphia, which began during the 2020 coronavirus lockdown. Kildunne, who played a key role in England's Rugby World Cup win, scoring five tries, including a notable solo effort in the final against Canada, has revealed her experiences with unhealthy weight loss and an eating disorder that developed during the pandemic.
In an interview with BBC Sport, Kildunne discussed feeling isolated after the high of the World Cup triumph and how she became fixated on being smaller, despite being considered small in the rugby world. She has now spoken out about her journey, including how a physio session at her previous club, Wasps, helped her to address her issues and find support.
Kildunne, who now plays for Harlequins, says she feels in control and wants to use her platform to help others who may be struggling with similar issues, showing that even those who appear to have it all together can face personal challenges.