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Chris Nikic is ready for one more Ironman in 2022

By Mark Carman

PANAMA CITY BEACH, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 07: Guide Dan Grieb leads Chris Nikic through the transition from the bike portion to the run portion of IRONMAN Florida on November 07, 2020 in Panama City Beach, Florida. Chris Nikic is attempting to become the first Ironman finisher with Down syndrome. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images for IRONMAN)
PANAMA CITY BEACH, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 07: Guide Dan Grieb leads Chris Nikic through the transition from the bike portion to the run portion of IRONMAN Florida on November 07, 2020 in Panama City Beach, Florida. Chris Nikic is attempting to become the first Ironman finisher with Down syndrome. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images for IRONMAN) /
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Chris Nikic is training for another Ironman, two marathons and the Special Olympics while spreading his 1 percent better message all over the world.

Chris Nikic is busy. Actually, make that extremely busy.

Nikic, who became the first person with Down syndrome to complete an Ironman triathlon in November 2020, is training to accomplish that same feat again in 2022. But why stop at one more Ironman when you can add in two marathons plus the Special Olympics USA Games as well?

How does your calendar look for the rest of the year? The 22-year old Nikic’s schedule goes as follows:

  • Boston Marathon — April 18, 2022
  • Special Olympics USA Games — June 5-12
  • Ironman World Championship — October 6-8
  • New York Marathon — November 6

“It’s getting tough,” Chris Nikic acknowledged to FanSided. “It really takes a lot of dedication, perseverance and mental toughness.”

Nikic continues to lean on his 1% better philosophy to push himself towards his expanding potential while inspiring others to do the same. Nikic has been traveling across the country with stops including Las Vegas, Pinehurst, Dallas, St. Louis and across Florida plus giving speeches on Zoom spreading his message.

Zoom calls with Microsoft, Dell and Salesforce. Last year alone, Nikic made over 90 speeches.

“The reach that he has and the impact he is making in terms of inclusion and possibilities and diversity it has really been something that has been astounding,” Chris’s Dad Nik Nikic proudly told FanSided. “He is making an amazing difference in the world right now. It’s a little bit at a time, but the reach has been pretty expansive as a result of the public speaking.”

Chris Nikic isn’t just training, he’s picking up a new sport along the way

Nikic’s journey does not come with a road map, but more so with a flag planted in the distance to keep reaching for his potential. Ironmans and marathons cannot last forever, so Nikic started playing golf.

“That is going to be the big thing after Ironman,” Nik Nikic said. “He is going to dedicate the same kind of practice to golf as he did to Ironman. That’s something that is much more a lifestyle he can do long term in tournaments, in fundraisers and really just enjoy it for the rest of his life.”

Impressive. There are plenty of weekend warriors who would love to have that swing.

“All this is a journey of potential for Chris and for others like him and for parents like us who start to understand what is possible,” Nik Nikic reminded. “We do more when we believe that more is possible. It’s really about doing lots of different things to stimulate the brain cells to stimulate growth and really to help him develop cognitively so that he can live a more inclusive life one where he can think, he can make decisions he can be successful. That’s the hope we want to translate to other parents like us.”

The vision for what is possible for Chris is still developing, but the pathway to get there remains the same. “I just want them to know that if they are willing to work hard…” Chris Nikic said.

Before finishing his thought, Nikic got excited for his next meal. The reward for the grind is the coveted Chipotle Burrito Bowl which Nikic eats daily. Always the same bowl. The restaurant chain has gifted Nikic a VIP card so he can walk into any Chipotle and eat for free.

Raising the bar for what is possible for society has privileges.

That includes the journey to the Ironman in October where Chris will be running, swimming and biking 140.6 miles has a GoFundMe page. The last time, Chris’s parents picked up the tab. This time there is already $27,000 of support. 

“Chris’s potential keeps growing,” Nik Nikic said. “His intellect his cognitive ability keep growing and so when you watch him at a speech and the way he delivers it, the interaction with the audience, the conversations he is having that is really the exciting part because it will translate to all the other Special Olympics athletes. This really is about helping people believe what they are capable of.”

Hard to find a better message than that.

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