Making history
published in the Republican December 2020
In Florida, Chris Nikic, a 27 year old young man with Down Syndrome, set a new world record when he became the first athlete with Down Syndrome to win the Ironman Triathlon.
He finished a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile run in 16 hours and 46 minutes. In order to gain the title of Ironman, he needed to complete the race in seventeen hours.
Over his life he has faced many different obstacles. But he did not let them stop him from achieving in his life. His father’s goal for his son was to improve by one percent every day. A strong performance in the Special Olympics gave him his first taste of competition. His next goal is to compete in the Ironman World Championship.
This is a perfect example of someone making their dream a reality with hard work and determination. With the right mindset, anything is possible.