Self Belief — Hossein Nik Nikzaban, Guinness World Record Holder
Hossein Nik Nikzaban competing in his wheelchair

About Nik

Hossein Nik Nikzaban

World traveller. Guinness World Record holder. Father of four. A life built on one philosophy — Self Belief.

Nik’s Bio

World traveler and wheelchair athlete, Hossein Nik Nikzaban, has wheeled through 31 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, a distance of more than 60 thousand kilometres. He started his journey as an international athlete from Iran in 1986 and ended it in Canada in 1995. Throughout his journey he has received numerous awards, medals and certificates for his astonishing accomplishments.

Having traveled the world Hossein has witnessed the frightful conditions for persons with disabilities including children in certain countries. After traveling to Canada, Nik saw how far ahead Canada was compared to other countries and chose Canada as a place where he could help make a difference for the less fortunate people with disability in other countries by continuing his motivational work.

Currently Nik lives with his wife Firouzeh, also a paraplegic, and his four sons in Vancouver, BC.

Nik Nikzaban wheeling through the desert on his world tour

“The will power to accomplish something is there, and the physical disability does not mean impotence and powerless.”

The Journey

Born in Tehran, Iran in December 1957, Nik became a polio victim at age three and a half. He survived but was left without the use of his lower limbs. At eight years of age, during a three year stay in a Tehran hospital for children with disabilities, Nik came to terms with his disability and began to reach out to comfort and aid other younger children with a disability. This has been his mission since then.

At age 18, Nik worked as a security in a Tehran center for the disabled. In pursuit of his philosophy of SELF BELIEF, Nik organized a group of young men with the same disability as his into a basketball team. With his pushing and urging the team succeeded in attaining a bronze medal in their first competitive foray. This was Nik’s very first success, which inspired and motivated him to chase greater success and he made it his goal to travel the world and promote his philosophy of ‘Self Belief’ and reach out to help people with disability to become the best versions of themselves.

In the summer of 1995, Nik crossed Canada from Montreal to North Vancouver in 74 days. Nik wheeled his way into Nanaimo on the first leg of his 3,500 kilometre tour of British Columbia. The polio victim made the trek to raise awareness for people with disabilities in BC and raise funds for Pro Endis World Society, which he had formed himself as well.

In the spring of 1999, Nik wheeled 500km from Victoria to Port Hardy. In April of 2000 Nik established a Guinness World Record for distance traveled by wheelchair in 24 hours.

Timeline

Six decades of Self Belief

  1. Born in Tehran, Iran

    Born in December 1957. Became a polio survivor at age three and a half, left without the use of his lower limbs.

    1957

  2. Tehran children’s hospital

    A three-year stay at eight years old — where Nik came to terms with his disability and began comforting other children facing the same.

    1965

  3. First team, first medal

    At 18, working security at a Tehran center for the disabled, Nik organized a wheelchair basketball team that won bronze in its first competition — his first taste of Self Belief in action.

    1975

  4. The world tour begins

    Sets out from Iran as an international athlete, beginning a journey that would cross 31 countries across Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

    1986

  5. Olympic recognitions across three continents

    Honoured by National Olympic Committees in Iran, Hungary, Bulgaria, Austria and beyond, plus medals in Padova and Brussels.

    1989

  6. Coast to coast across Canada

    Wheels from Montreal to North Vancouver in 74 days, then tours 3,500km of British Columbia to raise awareness and funds for Pro Endis World Society.

    1995

  7. Victoria to Port Hardy

    A 500km wheel up Vancouver Island in the spring of 1999.

    1999

  8. Guinness World Record

    Wheels 77.58 miles in 24 hours at Handsworth Secondary School track, North Vancouver — a Guinness World Record for distance travelled by wheelchair in 24 hours.

    2000

  9. North Shore & BC honours

    Receives the North Shore Sport Award (Athlete With a Disability) and the BC Disability Eugene Reimer Award.

    2001

Family

Nik lives with his wife Firouzeh, also a paraplegic, and his four sons in Vancouver, BC.