Chris Nikic
“Giving up is not an Option”: the Americans with Down syndrome creates Ironman Triathlon
Chris Nikic is in his room in front of a blackboard on which he has his training units listed
© Nik Nikic / DPA
For the first Time in the history of the Ironman competition, a participant with Down has completed-syndrome the Triathlon. Chris Nikic, a 21-year-old American, has managed to make it on Sunday the finish line in Florida.
Chris Nikic has done it, and according to the organizers, as the first athlete with Down syndrome a Ironman completed. With the hands jubilantly upwards, stretched, crossed the 21-year-old Americans in the night from Saturday to Sunday, the finish line in Panama Beach City in the U.S. state of Florida. For the 3,86 km Swim, 180,2 km Cycling and 42.2 km of Run required Nikic at Ironman Florida unofficially 16:49:09 hours. While Swimming and Running, he was associated with his Trainer Daniel Grieb with a belt. The goal of both of them hugged each other intimately.
Nikic could only run four years without a Walker
“Chris Nikic has today written to the evening story,” commented organizer of Ironman on his Facebook page. “I have goose bumps, so incredibly inspiring,” wrote the 37-year-old Ironman world Championships-Fifth of 2019, Cameron Wurf (37) from Australia.
Only four years ago, Chris Nikic could walk without a Walker, his muscle strength and muscle tension is not shaped as in people without Down syndrome. Four years ago, he had to undergo four ear surgeries. If he can do an Ironman, he could cope with anything else in life, that’s the Credo of the 21-Year-old from Maitland.
In the first half of the year, he had to Swim after the cancellation of the race over the half Ironman distance race a impromptu Race over 1.9 km, 90 km Cycling and 21.1 km Running completed. At Ironman Florida, he was now a Crash with the bike and a slightly bleeding knee, as well as ants do not stop bite. “Giving up is not an Option for Chris,” said his Coach before the race.
