Maitland’s Chris Nikic, the first person with Down syndrome to complete an Ironman triathlon, is about to receive yet another honor to add to his growing resume, and it’s arguably his greatest so far — the ESPN Jimmy V Award for Perseverance.
The award will be presented as part of the 2021 ESPYS, held in New York and airing live on ABC Saturday at 8 p.m. Nikic, who was a finalist for the Orlando Sentinel’s 2020 Central Floridian of the Year, will be giving an acceptance speech.
“We’re excited about the people he’s going to meet,” said dad Nik Nikic, who was in New York with his family for the event.