At 47, Zdeno Chára just crushed one of Europe's hardest triathlons and fans are stunned
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For fans who watched him dominate on the ice for two decades, it's amazing to see him still thriving in a new arena.
Retired NHL star Zdeno Chára takes on extreme triathlon challenge in Slovakia at age 47
Over the weekend, the 6-foot-9 former NHL defenseman completed the Oravaman Triathlon in his home country of Slovakia, and it's not your average swim-bike-run. We're talking elite-level pain:
2 km swim
86 km cycling course
19.5 km run through mountainous terrain
And a jaw-dropping 3,100 meters of elevation gain
Let that sink in. The guy retired from the NHL two years ago, but he's still tackling races tougher than most players would attempt in their prime.
Big Z isn't just staying fit, he's rewriting the retirement playbook
After 24 grueling seasons in the NHL most famously captaining the Boston Bruins to a Stanley Cup in 2011, you'd think Chára earned a little rest. But instead of slowing down, he's doing marathons, ultramarathons, and now triathlons in extreme terrain.
And not for show. He's doing it for real. At 47.
This weekend's Oravaman Triathlon is considered one of the toughest in Central Europe, held high in the Slovak mountains, where even professional triathletes struggle with the altitude and incline.
But Chára, towering over the competition in a tri-suit, powered through and finished strong, smiling, no less.
Zdeno Chára proves he's still a machine with savage triathlon finish in Slovakia
Zdeno Chára was already a hockey icon, the tallest player in league history, a Norris Trophy winner, and one of the most respected leaders in the game. But post-retirement, he's building a new identity: as an elite endurance athlete.
Whether it's pounding pavement in the Boston Marathon or climbing mountain trails in Slovakia, Chára continues to inspire by proving that greatness doesn't end when the jersey comes off.
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