- David Zaharakis played 226 career games for Essendon
- Midfielder also had a role in 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’ in the sport’s world championship this weekend.
Zaharakis played 226 games in 13 AFL seasons for the Bombers before retiring in 2021.
He was a fan favorite, decked out in red and black, and in 2013 he won the Anzac Day Medal after an impressive performance against Collingwood and after 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, taking part in Ironman events in five Australian states and Colorado in the US.
He told it Three-zone that his move to endurance racing from chasing Sherrins evolved naturally.
“To be honest, after leaving 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’ in the Ironman 70.3 world championship this weekend
After retiring from football in 2021, Zaharakis needed a new sporting focus – and that came by competing in triathlons
“During my AFL career I always enjoyed swimming and cycling and I think it was a natural progression. The idea came to me during a family holiday and I just went for it.’
Zaharakis has secured a coveted call-up to this weekend’s world championships in the picturesque town of Taupo, where he will compete as an ambassador athlete.
He will attack the grueling race which consists of a 1.9km swim in Lake Taupo, a 90km cycle and a 21.1km run.
“I still feel very green in the sport, I learn new things every day, with each of the three disciplines,” said Zaharakis.
‘You have now been working for twelve months and you realize that there is still so much to learn and so much to improve.
‘I love the sport and I love the fact that I have found a new passion, it is still years in the making to become the level I want to reach.
“I’m willing to work every day to get there.
‘A world championship is the elite of the elite, as an athlete you want to be with those people, the best… hopefully I perform well there and prove that I belong there.’
Zaharakis also appeared on Australian survivor in 2022 as part of the Heroes vs Villain aspect of the show.
Ultimately, he let his torch go out, admitting that the experience in Samoa was brutal at times.
Zaharakis (pictured with partner Amy Pejkovic) received a coveted call-up to this weekend’s world championships in the picturesque town of Taupo, where he competed as an ambassador athlete
“It definitely brought back old emotions when I watched it [on TV]’, he said Women’s Day last year.
“It took me a month after leaving the game to really think through everything and play out different scenarios in my head.
‘It’s a very unique experience. In football you look back at your game and then you move on.
‘For months after I left [the show] and went home to Australia, I thought about it.’