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Ironman finisher Chris Nikic with guide Dan Grieb: almost four kilometers swimming, 180 kilometers on the bike, 42 kilometers running
Photo: Tom Pennington / Getty Images for IRONMAN
An hour before midnight things got really loud again in the legendary Kailua-Kona finish channel: triathlete Chris Nikic enjoyed the thunderous applause of fans, athletes and friends on his 23rd birthday.
The American was the first person with Down syndrome to finish at the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii.
Nearly $30,000 in donations
Accompanied by his guide, Nikic crossed the finish line late Thursday evening after 16 hours and 31 minutes.
He swam 3.86 kilometers in the Pacific, cycled 180.2 kilometers and ran a marathon in extreme heat and humidity.
At the finish, many joined in the legendary words: »Chris, you are an Ironman« (in German: Chris, you are an Ironman).
He had raised nearly $30,000 in donations to help prepare for the Ironman in Hawaii.
Nikic was born with the chromosomal disorder trisomy 21 and as a result has, among other things, a lower muscle tone and a slower reaction time.
About two years ago he contested an Ironman for the first time in Panama City, Florida.
The 23-year-old has authored two books about his life and sport, one of which is an illustrated children's book.
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