​Chris Nikic, the first person with Down syndrome to complete an Ironman triathlon and author of the book “1% Better: How I Reached My Full Potential and How You Can Too”, together with his father spoke to HotNews.ro about the challenges of people with disabilities opportunities a young man who wants to become an athlete.

Until 2020, no person with Down syndrome had completed a race as difficult as the Ironman triathlon. Usually, people with this disease are born with many health problems that prevent them from becoming athletes.

Also, people with Down syndrome have a much more difficult time cycling because they have poor balance and longer reaction times, which puts them in a position where they don’t have the coordination to pedal.

However, in 2020, Chris Nikic, a young American born with the condition, swam 3.8km, biked 180km and ran 42.2km in the Visit Panama City Beach IRONMAN in Florida.

Chris finished the race in 16 hours 46 minutes 9 seconds – 14 minutes ahead of the official time of 17 hours. His results were later recognized by the Book of Records, he became the first person in the world with Down syndrome to finish an Ironman race.

Chris was not born with the milder form of Down syndrome. Indeed, he was diagnosed with a heart defect at birth and had to be operated on at the age of 5 months. The external auditory canals were narrower, which made any cold an ordeal, as a result of which he also underwent 4 ear operations during his life.

When he was little, he did therapy to be able to hold a fork in his hand. He faced all kinds of discrimination for the simple fact that he was born different. However, he didn’t accept being told from the start that he couldn’t do something, and always tried to prove the opposite that he could.

In 2017, his father, Nick Nikic, had the idea to sign him up for the Special Olympics triathlon program just to have the experience together. At the time, Chris couldn’t swim more than the length of a pool, couldn’t run more than 1.5km, and could only keep his balance on his bike a few meters before falling.

How did he go from that stage to competing and completing a full Ironman triathlon?

The father and son share this in their book, 1% Better: How I Reached My Full Potential and How You Can, also released in Romania this month. The presentation took place in the presence of the artist Cristina Belan, winner of the “Vocea României” competition, who wrote the foreword to the Romanian edition of the book.

“As the mother of twins with Down syndrome, I know all too well how much effort Chris’s parents and therapists put in. I hope that this article will help parents and guardians of these wonderful extrachromosomal individuals to better understand what they are dealing with, what their children’s limits, abilities and capabilities are and what they can expect from them in general.

I would also like this book to contribute to the normalization of the integration into society of people with disabilities, whether genetic or otherwise. Abilities beyond limitations are the most beautiful and inspiring stories in the world,” said Christina Belan in the introduction to the book.

“Parents have thanked me for helping them believe that their boy or girl can do amazing things”

Image from the book launch of 1% Better: How I Realized My Full Potential and How You Can Do It. PHOTO: Chris Nikic/ Personal archive

Chris and Nick Nikic told us more about their book and admitted that since its publication they have also become speakers, being invited to tell their impressive story at many motivational events.

They also said that there will be a follow-up on the actual implementation of the 1% plan and putting it into practice to achieve the goals.

“This book is our journey to help Chris reach his potential, but it’s also a blueprint that can be applied to anyone,” says Nick.

I ask them what the nicest feedback they’ve received from readers is:

“The most emotional, in general, are from parents who have children with Down syndrome. I got so many but the message was similar. Mostly, they thanked me for helping them believe that their little boy or girl could do incredible things. They thanked me for giving them hope,” says Nick.

He adds that he wants those who read the book, first, to believe in their children’s abilities, without any prejudice, and second, to find a plan that will help them reach their full potential. How to develop the mindset of a winner?

“Victory every day. If you get a 1% increase every day on something, it becomes a part of you and you automatically develop a winning mindset. Every time you achieve something, you win. When you get enough wins together, you develop a strong winning mentality,” said father and son.

On the best advice he received, Chris says, “Take life one step at a time and be patient. Don’t compare yourself to others, but compare the person you are today to the person you were yesterday.”

At the same time, her advice to aspiring writers, people who want to share their amazing stories but don’t have the courage or motivation to do so, is to start with a story that can help others.

“From there, it kind of works itself out, step by step, until the story is on paper.”

“For 18 years, I have faced the same limitations and obstacles as everyone else in our community. Our development began when we decided to change and take responsibility for what we could control. When we shifted our thoughts and focused on ourselves and our gifts, everything changed,” the two say.

In the book, Nick talks about how he motivated his son during this journey. But what motivates him? “What motivates me the most is the joy of our son and others like him around the world. And the fact that I can use my gifts to help others who don’t have those abilities, but who with a little help and guidance can live normal lives,” he replies.

As for their plans for the coming year, they say they want to be an example to others about the power of their potential.

“Next year there are six big marathons. After that, maybe golf.”

“We would like Romania to have the conditions for training and support that athletes with intellectual disabilities have in other countries”

Emilia Ispas, Program Director of Special Olympics Romania, an organization that promotes sports training throughout the year and organizes competitions in various Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, says about Cu 1% better:

“The publication of this book is a good opportunity to better understand the potential of athletes with Down syndrome. As Chris Nikic’s father says in the Introduction, the two-time Ironman finisher can’t write history himself, although he does so every day as he trains, competes and strives to be better every day.

Just like the athletes of the Special Olympics, whom we always invite to compete. Inclusion also happens through sports, and we would like to have in Romania the conditions for training and support that athletes with intellectual disabilities have in other countries.”

It must also be said that the publishing house ap! (ACT and Politon) will direct 10% of the proceeds from the sale of the book “Cu 1% mai bun” to the Special Olympics Romania Foundation.

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