- David Zaharakis played 226 career games for Essendon
- The midfielder also had a stint on the TV show Survivor.
Former Essendon midfielder David Zaharakis has done so well in his transformation into an Ironman competitor that he will take on the “elite of the elite” at the sport’s world championships this weekend.
Zaharakis played 226 games in 13 AFL seasons for the Bombers before retiring in 2021.
He was a fan favorite in red and black, winning the Anzac Day Medal in 2013 after a commanding performance against Collingwood, as well as being crowned the club’s best and fairest player in 2011.
The 34-year-old has found a new sporting passion over the past year, competing in Ironman events in five Australian states and Colorado in the US.
he said trizone that his move into drag racing after chasing Sherrins evolved naturally.
“Honestly, after I left the AFL, I realized my passion for football was waning,” he said.
Former Essendon midfielder David Zaharakis (pictured playing for the Bombers) will take on the “elite of the elite” at the Ironman 70.3 world championships this weekend.
After retiring from football in 2021, Zaharakis needed a new sporting focus, and he got it by competing in triathlons.
‘I always enjoyed swimming and cycling during my AFL career, and I suppose it was a natural progression. I came up with the idea while on a family holiday and just did it.’
Zaharakis earned a coveted call-up to this weekend’s world championships in the picturesque town of Taupo, where he will compete as an athlete ambassador.
He will attack the grueling race which includes a 1.9km swim in Lake Taupo, a 90km bike ride and a 21.1km run.
“I still feel very green in this sport, I learn new things every day, in each of the three disciplines,” said Zaharakis.
‘You’ve been there for 12 months and you realize that there is still a lot to learn and a lot to improve.
“I love the sport and I love the fact that I have found a new passion; it is still years away from reaching the level I want to reach.”
‘I’m willing to work at it every day to get there.
“A world championship is the elite of the elite, as an athlete you want to be surrounded by those people, the best… I hope to be out there doing a good performance and showing that I belong there.”
Zaharakis also appeared in Australian survivor in 2022 as part of the Heroes vs Villain aspect of the show.
He finally extinguished his torch and admitted that the experience in Samoa was brutal at times.
Zaharakis (pictured with partner Amy Pejkovic) earned a coveted call-up to this weekend’s world championships in the picturesque town of Taupo, competing as an athlete ambassador.
“It definitely brought back old emotions for me to see it (on TV),” he said. Women’s Day last year.
“It took me a month after I quit the game to analyze everything and play out different scenarios in my head.
‘It is a unique experience. When you play soccer, you watch your game and then move on.
“For months after I left (the show) and returned home to Australia, I thought about it.”