| Chris Nikic | |
| Nationality: | American |
| Birth Date: | 6 October 1999 |
| Sport: | Triathlon |
Chris Nikic (born October 6, 1999) is an American amateur triathlete. In 2020, at age 21, he became the first person with Down syndrome to finish an Ironman triathlon.[1] [2] For this accomplishment, Nikic was awarded the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance as part of the 2021 ESPY Awards. Additionally, he won the ESPY for Best Athlete with a Disability in Men's Sports.[3]
Nikic trained with Dan Grieb, who has completed 16 Ironman races, for four to eight hours each day for around one year. He began exercising in 2017 with a single pushup and aimed to improve his performance 1% each day.[4] [5]
''I have to work hard and give my best every day. If I do an Ironman and become a pro-speaker I will have a chance to get my dream.'' Chris Nikic
Nikic is also training for the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games.[6] [7]
Nikic completed the Ironman Florida triathlon in 16 hours 46 minutes 9 seconds, swimming 2.42NaN2, cycling 1122NaN2, and then running a marathon 26.222NaN2. This earned him recognition from Guinness World Records.[8] [9] [10] His time was 14 minutes faster than the cut-off time for qualification.
"We don't make any accommodations for anyone around the core elements of racing." --Andrew Messick, CEO of Ironman Group.
Nikic bested his Florida Ironman time two years later in the 2022 Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii, with a time of 16 hours, 31 minutes.[11] In announcing Nikic's record-breaking feat of being the only person with Down syndrome to complete two IRONMAN competitions, the Special Olympics announced the triathlete's designation as a Special Olympics Champion Ambassador, "for the impact he’s made on the organization."[12]
Nikic grew up in Florida. He had open-heart surgery at five months old, and was not able to walk well until four years old or eat solid food until age five.