Chris Nikic epitomizes perseverance.

The 20-year-old Orlando resident with Down syndrome competes in golf, swimming, track and basketball.

Now, he’s taking on his biggest challenge yet: the Ironman triathlon.

Nikic recently completed a Half Ironman, a grueling 70.3-mile test that includes a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run, in eight hours and 25 minutes.

“The ultimate goal is to accomplish this,” Chris said.

With that time, he’s qualified to compete in the Ironman Florida race November 7 in Panama City Beach. His hope is to compete in the Ironman triathlon in Hawaii. 

“He has proven that a kid with Down syndrome by focusing on 1-percent a day can do extraordinary things,” said Nik Nikic, Chris’s father.

Chris is attempting to become the first Ironman with Down syndrome.

Spectrum Sports 360 photojournalist Nick Allen chronicled Chris’s journey to complete a Half Ironman. You can watch the feature by clicking on the video at the top of the story.