Essendon star David Zaharakis has announced that he will be competing in the VinFast IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship held in Taupō, New Zealand.
Since Zaharakis retired at the end of the 2021 season, the 34-year-old has been undertaking gruesome physical challenges, culminating in a spot at the upcoming Ironman as an ambassador athlete, where only the 'elite of the elite' contend.
The race itself will feature a swim (1.9km) in one of the world's largest freshwater lakes, a bike course (90km) through New Zealand's renowned rural landscape and a run (21.1km) course that takes in views of the lakefront that will be lined with spectator and local support.
Zaharakis made a name for himself on the football field, playing 226 games for the Bombers, securing a club best and fairest (2011) and Anzac Day Medal (2013).
The Northern Knights product also burst onto the scene with one of the most iconic goals in modern-day football. In the dying moments of the traditional Anzac Day clash against Collingwood, Zaharakis kicked a goal to put Essendon in front, which ironically was his first major in the big time.
He also featured in an Australian Survivor series in 2022.