By james art 
Chris Nikic has spent his entire life overcoming the discomfort through self -esteem. Born with Down Syndrome in 1999, Nikic had health failures in his early years, including an outdoor heart surgery for five months. He couldn’t walk until he was three, he needed a walker to maintain his weight.
In November 2019, at the age of 21, he proved that no difficulties could stop him. He became the first man of Down Syndrome to finish a full triathlon of Ironman. Now Nikic is ready to share how he did it with the West Valley Community – and how everyone can achieve their goals, becoming a percentage better every day.
“What I am trying to do is trying to spread awareness,” Nikic said. “Be able to open the doors to be independent.”
The University of the Midwest host Nikic and his father Nick on his Glendale campus on Tuesday, March 18. Open to all colleges, programs and the public for free, the event offers people a chance to hear the story of Nikic and “1% better challenge,” initiative he began to encourage awareness of Down Syndrome and individualized growth. Registration is required.
“You achieve a percentage better until you achieve your full potential and strike all your dreams and goals,” his father said.
Nikic and his father will also give an idea of healthcare providers how to support athletes with intellectual disabilities.
Nikic, based in Orlando athlete, has completed seven-and-a-half Ironman triathlon from 2019. Widely considered one of the most challenging day-to-day sports events in the world, Ironman triathlon consists of 2.4 miles swimming, 112-kilometer trimelo, 112-kilometer swimming, 112-kilometer swimming, 112-kilometer Swimming, 112-kilometer swimming, 112-kilometer swimming, 112-kilometer swimming, 112-kilometer swimming, 112-kilometer swimming, 112-kilometer swimming, 112-kilometer, 112-kilometer swimming, 112-kilometer swim swimming, 112-kilometer swimming, 112-kilometer swimming, 112-kilometer swimming, 112-kilometer riding with a bicycle and running 26.2 miles. Nikic also competes in all six of the world’s marathon specialties held in Berlin, London, Boston, Chicago, New York and Tokyo.
Along the way, he won two ESPY awards, became a special Olympics, Ironman and Laureus Global ambassador, was introduced into the Sports Hall of Fame in Florida and inspired the Ironman organization to add the “intellectual disability” category for disabled athletes. He helped the training of other disabled athletes and was the subject of NBC’s documentary series “Everything is possible”.
However, when he was 18, Nikic was out of shape. He wanted to play video games all day, he said. But in January 2018, he decided that he wanted to turn his life, with the help of his father he began to train.
His advice to those who are struggling to motivate is simple: be patient.
“Be patient and then it’s very simple and easy to press,” he said.
Later this year, Nikic will compete in the Ultraman World Championships, a three-day triathlon of 320 miles. The event, held in Hawaii annually, is limited to 40 participants and is only at invitation.
Along with the competitions, training and motivational speaking, Father-Son’s Father, ending about 50 speaking events of Nikich’s annual family also maintains a non-profit purpose, the Chris Nikic Foundation. Her mission is to create inclusion for others like Nikic.
“This includes work, life and play so that they feel like part of the same things in life that we are part of,” Nick said. “Full -time work, social environment, participation in events, marathons and triathlons. The Foundation was created to help others provide them with resources and training and advice. ”
It provides resources, training and advice to help others with Down syndrome and works with Ironman Triathlon and Maraton organizers to create inclusive categories.
For more information about the Chris Nikic Foundation, visit Chrisnikic.com or visit the Midwest University on March 18 to meet with it personally.