Central Florida Spotlight: Maitland Ironman with Down syndrome

MAITLAND, Fla. — A 21-year-old from Maitland became the first person with Down syndrome to complete an Ironman triathlon.

Chris Nikic competed in the Ironman Florida, which includes a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile run, in 16:46:09, according to the Special Olympics of Florida.

Nikic made history as the first person with Down syndrome to finish the full triathlon, landing him in the Guinness World Records.

Read: Florida man with Down syndrome becomes first to complete Ironman triathlon

WFTV’s Joe Kepner and Greg Warmoth discuss Nikic’s accomplishment and how he inspired so many others.

Kepner talks about what it was like to meet Nikic and his family in May while he was training for the triathlon.

WATCH: Local Special Olympian becomes first person with Down Syndrome to complete IRONMAN triathlon Already the first to finish a half-IRONMAN, Special Olympian Chris Nikic is now the first person with Down Syndrome ever to complete a full IRONMAN triathlon. (, /WFTV)

Afterward, Warmoth speaks with this fierce competitor about what it took to compete as an Ironman with Down syndrome and how nothing, not even a pandemic, could stand between this young man and his dream.

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