PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. — Florida’s own Chris Nikic has officially set a new Guinness World Record. He’s the first athlete with Down syndrome to complete a full triathlon.
Nikic finished Saturday’s 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run in 16 hours, 46 minutes and nine seconds. He needed to complete the race in 17 hours to earn the title of Ironman.
21-year-old Nikic, who lives in Maitland, says he didn’t let any obstacles come in his way despite being stung by fire ants and falling off his bicycle.
“I decided to get back up and fight my way through,” he explained.
Dan Grieb, Chris’ coach, was there by his side throughout the entire race.
“He woke up as a boy with Down syndrome and went to bed an Ironman,” Dan explained Monday morning while packing up his bags to leave Panama City Beach.
Grieb recalled a conversation he had with Nik Nikic, Chris’ dad, moments before the race.
“I told his dad ‘Nik, you’ve done an amazing job with your boy for 21 years. Just give him to me for 17 hours and I promise I’ll return to you an Ironman. The greatest honor of my life was keeping that promise,” Grieb said with a smile.
PREVIOUSLY REPORTED: Florida athlete strives to be the first person with down syndrome to complete an ironman
Nikic’s story has been an inspiration all across the world. Several parents of children with Down syndrome have reached out to the 21-year-old athlete through social media.
“They say that I’m a hero,” Nikic said.
“For everyone else like him around the world, it has been unbelievable,” Grieb added.
Sherry Wheelock, the President of Special Olympics Florida says Nikic is proving that anything is possible. Nikic got a first taste of triathalons through his participation in Special Olympics.
Wheelock says she expects interest in Special Olympics to explode following Nikic’s accomplishments.
“I think others will be inspired to come out and be part of this unified movement,” she said.
Nik Nikic came up with a goal for his son. That goal was to improve by 1% every day and it’s something Chris Nikic took to heart.
His next goal is to participate in the Special Olympics USA Games in Orlando in 2022. The event will attract top Special Olympics athletes from all over the US, the Caribbean and Canada.
Chris Nikic also hopes to one day buy his own home, his own car, live independently and get married “to a smoking hot blonde,” he tells ABC Action News reporter Sarah Hollenbeck.
“I want to inspire others so they can be like me so one day they can do it too,” Nikic added eagerly.
