The inspiring story of Ironman Chris Nikic

• Chris Nikic is the first person with Down Syndrome to finish an Ironman triathlon. 
• Ironman Chris Nikic began facing physical, cognitive and sensory challenges at a very tender age.
• His story is an inspiration to many that they can overcome trials and tribulations that come on their way. 

Ironman Chris Nikic is not a strange name in the sporting world. The American triathlon is the first person with Down Syndrome to finish an Ironman triathlon. 

An Ironman consists of a 112-mile run, a 26.2-mile run and a 2.4-mile swim. Completing an Ironman would be a great achievement for any person, especially someone special like Chris Nikic.

Ironman Chris Nikic. Photo/ Christian Headlines.

The story of Chris Nikic right from his birth is an inspiration to many that they can overcome trials and tribulations that come on their way. 

Chris Nikic, born on October 6 1999, began facing physical, cognitive and sensory challenges at a very tender age. But the obstacles never stopped him from setting history and entering the Guinness Book of World Records in his early 20s. 

Early Hurdles 

Chris had open heart surgery at the age of just five months so as to save his life. 

As a result of the surgery, Chris couldn’t walk on his own until he turned four. On top of that, he couldn’t eat comfortably and keep down solid food until he turned five. He also struggled to balance and speak like a normal child. 

Chris was diagnosed with Down Syndrome, and throughout his childhood, the doctors advised that he could not do many things that other kids did. 

But the biggest obstacle he faced was how people treated him as a special child. Ironman Chris Nikic didn’t like people telling him he couldn’t do certain things like a normal person. 

“People treated me different. They were telling me that I can’t do that or can’t do this.” Chris recalled, as per CNN. 

When Chris turned eight, his family found a welcoming and supportive community in Florida. Since his elder sister was an athlete, Chris fell in love with sports and started practising track, basketball and golf. 

He also loved being outdoors, riding his bike and swimming. As Chris grew older, he underwent several ear surgeries. 

Making History 

Seeing Chris’ passion for exercise activities, his parents found a training coach who started moulding him so he could be an athlete. 

The first time Chris competed at an event, he finished last during a sprint with Special Olympics. Instead of being disappointed like many people would have been, Chris was very happy. 

He soon outgrew his first coach, and that’s when Dan Grieb began working with him. Dan was the captain of a local triathlon club and knew exactly what to do with Chris Nikic. 

Chris trained with Dan for more than a year for four to eight hours a day. It all started with a single pushup as Chris aimed to improve his performance by 1% every day. 

After just a year and a half of training, Chris went from the couch to a sprint 14-mile triathlon. Chris then set his eyes on the half-IRONMAN race scheduled for May 2020. 

He wanted everything he worked on to be put on a big stage, and so was it. 

Ironman Chris Nick faced hurdles throughout the competition but opted not to give up. During a small hydration break, Chris stepped on an ant farm, and the consequences were there as you would expect. 

The ants nibbled on his ankle, making it swell. But that didn’t make him give up, as he climbed on his bike to continue with the race. 

Another hurdle came when he was racing on a downhill stretch at a speed of 20mph. Chris tried to slow down his bike, and as a result, he fell down, getting bruises on his right leg. Just like the first hurdle, this, too, did not stop him from jumping back on his bike and continuing with the race. 

After cycling 112-mile, swimming 2.4 miles and running a marathon 26.22 miles, Chris completed the Ironman Florida triathlon in 16 hours 49 minutes 9 seconds.

Chris Nikic. Photo/ Majically News.

During an interview with Click Orlando, Chris’ father had a word of advice to parents after his son won the Ironman Florida triathlon. 

“To all those out in the community, give our kids a chance. Don’t prejudge them and predetermine what they can or can’t do. They may not be able to do it but let them decide that.” Chris’ father told Click Orlando.