At the World Cup in Guangzhou, China, Zakharov and Minbaev won silver in synchronized diving behind Chinese divers Cao Yuan and Zhang Yanquan.

In 2012, [1] he won the Olympic Gold medal in the Men's 3 metre springboard defeating Chinese divers Qin Kai and He Chong.

In 2013, Zakharov won gold medal at the 2013 European Championships in 3 m Springboard and 3m Spring Synchro.

In 2016, Zakharov attempted to defend his Olympic gold medal in the Men's 3 metre springboard, but did not advance past the semifinal round after a failed dive that resulted in a score of zero.

[3] At the 2017 World Aquatics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, the Russian won his first gold medal in 3 m synchronized springboard, with his partner Kuznetsov.