Jiya is on a mission to become the world's first and youngest para swimmer to complete the seven ocean swims...
Digital Desk: Jiya Rai, a 16-year-old from Mumbai with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), has achieved a remarkable feat in para-swimming. On July 28-29, she became the world's youngest and fastest para swimmer to cross the English Channel, covering the 34-kilometer distance from Abbot's Cliff in England to Pointe de la Courte-Dune in France in just 17 hours and 25 minutes.
The accomplishment has garnered significant recognition. Jiya is the daughter of Madan Rai, an MC-at-Arms serving in Mumbai. The Western Naval Command (WNC) extended their heartfelt congratulations to her via social media. "All personnel of WNC convey their heartiest congratulations to Jiya Rai for becoming the world's youngest and fastest female para swimmer to successfully swim solo across the English Channel," they wrote on X (formerly Twitter). The WNC also highlighted her inspiring achievements, including her previous swim across Palk Bay.
Jiya’s journey is particularly significant given her diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, a condition that affects social interaction, communication, learning, and behavior. Despite these challenges, Jiya is on a mission to become the world's first and youngest para swimmer to complete the seven ocean swims.
In December 2022, she swam 1,100 kilometers as part of a six-member relay team from Mumbai to Goa and back to Vasai Fort in 11 days, 22 hours, and 13 minutes, making her the youngest and only female participant on the team. Earlier, on March 20, 2022, she set a world record by swimming across the Palk Strait from Talaimannar in Sri Lanka to Dhanuskodi in India in 13 hours and 10 minutes, becoming the youngest and fastest female to achieve this.
Jiya’s accomplishments have also earned her recognition from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who mentioned her in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ episode on February 18, 2021. Her records are listed in the Asia Book of Records and the India Book of Records, and she has won medals in various national and state open-water sea swimming championships.
Leave A Comment