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.[2][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]
2020 Ironman Florida
Nikic completed the Ironman Florida triathlon in 16 hours 46 minutes 9 seconds, swimming 2.4-mile (3.86 km), cycling 112-mile (180.25 km), and then running a marathon 26.22-mile (42.20 km). This earned him recognition from Guinness World Records.[1][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.
2022 Ironman Hawaii
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."[11]
Early life
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.[9][5]