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Saturday, Chris Nikic made history, becoming the first person with Down syndrome to ever complete an Ironman triathlon. The athletic event is considered one of the most grueling in the world, consisting of a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and 26.2-mile run — all which must be completed within a 17-hour time frame. The incredible feat proved doctors wrong about what people with Down syndrome can do, and gave inspiration to people around the world.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, doctors said Nikic would never be able to do anything as strenuous as an Ironman. “The doctors and experts said I couldn’t do anything,” Nikic said. “So I said, ‘Doctor! Experts! You need to stop doing this to me. You’re wrong!’”

Nikic had been competing in triathlons since he was 16, but briefly had to stop for two years after a series of ear surgeries seriously impacted his health, completely unable to swim a lap in the pool or ride a bike. But he fought his way back. “He’s gone from barely being able to do anything, to running an Olympic-distance triathlon,” his dad, Nik Nikic, told Team USA earlier this year.

Alongside Dan Grieb, a realtor who also works as Nikic’s trainer and coach, Nikic trained for three hours each day in spinning, yoga, group martial arts, Zumba, and basketball, as well as keeping up his triathlon training. “I don’t use my condition as an excuse,” Nikic said. “Instead, I work harder… My dad told me, ‘Don’t ever doubt your dreams, Chris.’ He told me God gave me gifts. I don’t ever doubt my dreams now."

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https://www.liveaction.org/news/inspirin...8F3iPwRUZ6-bWOA

Congratulations seems so inadequate when recounting this remarkable feat, but what else can one say?