Chris Nikic sets sights on Ultraman racing in 2025
In 2020, Nikic became the first athlete living Down syndrome to complete an Ironman, but now he wants to go even farther
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Michael Reaves/ Getty Images for Ironman
Chris Nikic has announced his triathlon plans for 2025, and he has one big goal: complete an Ultraman. The Florida native has already inspired people all over the world with his 1% Better campaign, becoming the first athlete living with Down syndrome to complete an Ironman (among many other accomplishments), but now he wants to up the ante with the three-day, 515-kilometre ultra-distance triathlon—a feat that most triathletes never even dream of trying.
1% Better
Nikic’s brand is 1% Better, and it’s a system he used to work up to finishing an Ironman. He worked to improve by one per cent every day (swimming one more lap in the pool, on the bike, and on the run than he did the previous day), and eventually he was ready to tackle longer and tougher challenges.
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His triathlon journey started in 2019, when he finished his first sprint race. Next up, in early 2020, he completed an olympic-distance race. A few months later, he conquered a 70.3, and in November of that year he toed the line of Ironman Florida, stopping the clock in 16 hours, 46 minutes and becoming the first person with Down syndrome to become an Ironman.
He took things a step further in 2022, heading to Kona for the Ironman World Championship. There, on a much tougher course than the one he faced in Florida two years before, Nikic laid down a tremendous result, crossing the line in a new Ironman PB of 16 hours, 31 minutes. Now, in 2025—three years after his triumph in Kona—he wants to move on to an even bigger goal.
Getting into Ultraman
Ultraman is a daunting endeavour. The first day of racing sees athletes swim 10K and then bike 145 kilometres. Day 2 is all about cycling, with racers riding 276 kilometres. The final stage is a double-marathon—84 kilometres. This is a herculean undertaking, but as Nikic has shown time and time again, he can handle jaw-dropping challenges.
In addition to his accomplishments in triathlon, he has completed all six World Marathon Majors (he crossed the final one off his list in Tokyo last March), he has won a pair of ESPY awards, he has delivered over 300 speeches, and he has done so much more. Now, with a new year underway, he has publicly stated that he’s looking to go even farther with his next big triathlon goal.
It will be a long and tiring road to completing his first Ultraman, but it will also be a fun one for Nikic, and he will have the support of triathletes and non-triathletes everywhere as he works toward reaching his goal.