NHL legend and championship-winning captain Zdeno Chára has found a new passion after retiring from his hockey career. After hanging up his skates, he embraced running and triathlon. This year, he will compete in the prestigious IRONMAN 70.3 event in Hradec Králové. How did he get into triathlon, and what fascinates him about this sport?
During his 24 seasons in the world’s top hockey league, Chára played 1,680 games, plus another 200 in the playoffs. He lifted the Stanley Cup, won two World Championship medals, and earned numerous individual trophies. On the ice, he was known as a leader and for his incredible physical abilities.
“I trained a lot from a young age and focused mainly on fitness. My dad always told me that conditioning is the foundation of everything, and that gave me an incredible base for long-term success in my career. I always maintained good fitness, and it was important for me to be in the best possible shape,” Chára said.
He retired from professional hockey in 2022 but knew he didn’t want to stop being active.
“For hockey training, I always had to do a lot of running and cycling. I always enjoyed that kind of preparation and was naturally inclined toward it. After retiring, I started running more and focused on marathons, but triathlon kept drawing me in, so I decided to give it a try. I started with shorter distances and eventually progressed to IRONMAN-length races,” the former Slovakian hockey player explained.
Hockey is a sport of explosive movements and powerful bursts, whereas triathlon requires endurance and consistency. Transitioning to a completely different type of physical strain wasn’t easy.
“You’re absolutely right—these are two very different types of physical exertion. I think the key is to learn and listen to your body from the beginning. In triathlon, it’s crucial to maintain the best possible position throughout the race without overexerting your heart rate or body temperature, so you can successfully complete the race. It’s all about consistency and stability of performance in the given race conditions,” Chára described.
Which triathlon discipline is the most challenging for the towering Slovak?
“Each discipline has its own difficulties. Triathlon is not an easy sport. I have spent much more time cycling and running than swimming. Swimming is all about being as efficient as possible and, most importantly, coming out of the water fresh and ready for the bike segment.”
Triathlon is not just about physical fitness; mental strength plays a crucial role as well. The mental resilience he built in hockey now helps him tackle long endurance races.
“I try to mentally prepare for the possibility that things may not go as planned. Many times, unexpected situations arise, and you have to react and handle them in the best way possible,” he said.
Why did Zdeno Chára choose to race in Hradec Králové?
“I love coming to the Czech Republic and enjoy the passionate Czech sports fans. The location is great—it’s close to Slovakia, which means less travel,” he explained.
He was originally set to compete in Hradec Králové last year but ultimately opted for the race in Kalmar, Sweden, where he aimed to qualify for the legendary Ironman Kona. He secured the qualification, but due to an injury, he couldn’t participate in the prestigious Hawaii race.
“Last year, I chose a different race, so I’m even more excited for Hradec this year. My main goal is to enjoy the race, feel good, and achieve the best result possible. I’m really looking forward to the fans and the whole city,” he added.
What is Zdeno Chára’s relationship with triathlon, and what does he hope to achieve?
“I do this sport because I love it and it brings me joy. I keep learning new things, meeting new people, discovering new places, and gaining new experiences,” he concluded with a smile.
IRONMAN 70.3 Hradec Králové will take place on August 17, 2025! The event promises an incredible sporting experience and a unique opportunity to see one of the greatest warriors in the sports world in action. Come to this picturesque East Bohemian city and cheer on not only Zdeno Chára but also hundreds of other athletes taking on this demanding challenge!