Fox 13 Florida reports,

"Chris Nikic, 21, of Maitland, Fl., made history Saturday by becoming the first person with Down syndrome to finish an IRONMAN triathlon."

He's been training since he was 16, and lives by the motto,"1% better every day."

And that motto, that drive, pushed him over the finish line.

He had to swim 2.4-miles, bike 112 miles and run 26.2 miles, and all had to be completed in under 17 hours! His official time? 16 hours, 46 minutes and nine seconds.

He had to overcome so much to make his dreams come true, like multiple heart surgeries, ear surgeries, and chronic infections, not to mention all the stereotypical road blocks he had to barrel through, like the powerfully limiting force of lowered expectations.

"The doctors and experts said I couldn't do anything," he lamented. "So I said, ‘Doctor! Experts! You need to stop doing this to me. You're wrong!'"

Yep, they were flat out WRONG!

Chris typically competes in Special Olympics programs, so his S.O. family was right there to applaud him.

"Chris has become a hero to many athletes, fans and individuals across Florida and around the country. He is an inspiration to us all, and we couldn't be prouder of his remarkable accomplishments."

One dream down, so many more ahead.

His dad told reporters that his son dreams of a home of his own, a car of his own, and he dreams of marrying a pretty blonde, "just like his mom."

Here's to Chris and to all his dreams!

(So much to learn from this young man.)