American with Down syndrome completes Ironman

Chris Nikic stretched his hands into the dark night sky of Panama City Beach and enjoyed the four magical words: “You are an Ironman.” At the finish after 3,86 kilometers of swimming, 180,2 kilometers of cycling and 42,2 kilometers of running, he fell Trainer and guide Dan Grieb in his arms. After almost 17 hours, the 21-year-old in Florida fulfilled his dream and, according to the organizers, became the first athlete with Down syndrome to complete an Ironman.

“It was an example to show other people who have to overcome similar obstacles that no dream is too big.” Father Nik Nikic “For Chris, the race was more than just the finish line and the victory celebrations,” said father Nik Nikic. “It was an example to show other children and families who have to overcome similar obstacles that no dream is too big or no goal is too high.” At the finish line, he hugged his son proudly and overjoyed for what felt like an eternity. Even a fall can't stop Nikic Chris Nikic needed 16:46:09 hours. He covered the almost four kilometers on the Gulf of Mexico in just under 1:55 hours, while Chris Nikic needed around 8:12 hours for the bike route. However, he did not ride with aerodynamic time trial handlebars, and he also did without clipless pedals, which make power transmission easier. A fall that included a slightly bleeding right knee, plus ant bites – he kept going.

Chris Nikic's performance sparked admiration. © Chris Nikic

He completed the marathon in 6:18:48 hours - repeatedly cheered on loudly by enthusiastic people along the route. Some of them came from restaurants to support the young man in his shirt with the print “1% Better”, true to his training motto “get one percent better every day”. Entry in the Guinness Book of Records Over 11.000 comments, mostly full of admiration, when the finish was broadcast via Social Media, and the American Triathlon Association bowed: “History made. Once again, triathlon reminds us that anything is possible.” The world-class athlete Cameronwurf (37/Australia), fifth in the 2019 World Championships in Hawaii, wrote on social media: “I have goosebumps, so incredibly inspiring.”

Chris Nikic was also rewarded for his performance with an entry in the Guinness Book of Records. He also collected the equivalent of almost 34.000 euros together with the Ironman Foundation. Anyone who can do an Ironman can do anything It wasn't until he was four years old that Chris Nikic was able to walk without a walking aid; his muscle strength and muscle tone were not the same as those of people without Down syndrome. Four years ago he had to undergo four ear operations. If he can do an Ironman, he can do anything else in life, is the credo of the 21-year-old from Maitland.

In the first half of the year, after the cancellation of a race over half the Ironman distance, he completed an improvised competition of 1,9 kilometers of swimming, 90 kilometers of cycling and 21,1 kilometers of running and then continued to prepare for his big day. “Giving up is not an option for Chris,” his coach said before the race and said afterwards: “I am no longer surprised at what Chris can do. He is a person with goals and dreams like anyone else.”

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American with Down syndrome completes Ironman

Moving moments on the Ironman red carpet. The 21-year-old American Chris Nikic became the first person with Down syndrome to complete an Ironman.

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