Ex-Bomber Zaharakis to race Ironman world championships

Former Essendon midfielder David Zaharakis will step up his triathlete transition in New Zealand, tackling the "elite of the elite" that is the Ironman 70.3 world championship.

Zaharakis played 226 games across 13 AFL seasons for the Bombers, retiring in 2021.

The 34-year-old has found a new sporting passion over the past year, competing in Ironman events across five Australian states and Colorado in the US.

Zaharakis has gained a coveted call-up for this weekend's world championship in the picturesque town of Taupo, competing as an ambassador athlete.

He will attack the race that features a 1.9km swim in Lake Taupo, 90km bike ride and a 21.1km run.

"I still feel very green in the sport, I'm learning new things every single day, with each of the three disciplines," Zaharakis said.

"You're 12 months in and you realise there is still so much to learn and so much to improve on.

"I'm loving the sport and loving the fact that I've found a new passion, this is still years in the making to become the level that I want to get to.

"I'm willing to work at it every single day to get there.

"A world championship is the elite of the elite, as an athlete you want to be around those people, the best ...  hopefully I'm out there putting in a good performance and proving that I belong out there."

It is the second time that Oceania has hosted an Ironman 70.3 world championship event, following the 2016 race on the Sunshine Coast.