Clocking in at 16 hours; 46 minutes; nine seconds (just 14 minutes shy of the 17-hour cutoff time), triathlete Chris Nikic didn't finish with the fastest time when he recently completed his first Iron Man race-but he did set a new world record.

This past Saturday, after swimming 2.4 miles, the 21-year-old Floridian cycled 112 miles, and then ran a 26.2-mile marathon to become the first competitor with Down's Syndrome to successfully cross the finish line in the 42-year history of the Iron Man Race.

"You have shattered barriers while proving without a doubt that anything is possible," tweeted the official Ironman Triathlon Organization. "We are beyond inspired, and your accomplishment is a defining moment in Ironman history that can never be taken away from you."

For his awe-inspiring efforts, Nikic also earned himself a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the first person with Down's Syndrome to become an official Iron Man.

"Being the first person with Down's Syndrome is a great feeling," Nikic told TODAY, prior to the event. "I can prove to kids that if I can do it, they can do it, too."

Nikic's father, Nik, hopes that parents of other children with Down's Syndrome who see what his son has achieved will be inspired. "We want them to realize earlier that their child is a blessing, and they can live an amazing life," he told TODAY.

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A post shared by Chris Nikic (@chrisnikic) on Nov 8, 2020 at 7:54am PST

A post shared by Chris Nikic (@chrisnikic) on Nov 8, 2020 at 7:54am PST

As important as taking on the physical and mental challenges of an Iron Man were to Nikic, he had other compelling reasons for entering the competition. He might not have been carrying a banner, but the message he took across the finish line with him was clear.

"To Chris, this race was more than just a finish line and celebration of victory," his dad told the BBC. "Ironman has served as his platform to become one step closer to his goal of living a life of inclusion, normalcy, and leadership. It's about being an example to other kids and families that face similar barriers, proving no dream or goal is too high… If Chris can do an Ironman, he can do anything."

Nikic trained between four to six hours a day to prepare for the grueling event, and that training paid off. Even after suffering a fall from his bike during the second leg of the race, he called on his inner reserve of strength to get back up, keep going, and get the job done.

"Goal set and achieved," Nikic posted to the delight of social media posse, including 33,000 new Instagram followers. "Time to set a new and bigger goal for 2021."

One of Nikic's biggest fans, all-time tennis great Billie Jean King, tweeted the perfect response: "No limits. No boundaries. Keep dreaming big and going for it, Chris!"

With hopes of competing in the 2022 Special Olympics scheduled on his home turf in Orlando, it looks as if Chris Nikic has plenty of big dreams yet to come true.

As for that medal he won for completing one of the world's most grueling triathlons? He gifted it to his loving mom.

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