In an extraordinary display of determination and resilience, a 17-year-old Indian para swimmer has etched her name in the global record books. Jiya Rai, who has Autism Spectrum Disorder, has become the youngest successful swimmer of 2024 to conquer the formidable English Channel, earning her a prestigious international honour.
A Historic Swim and a Prestigious Honour
On July 28, 2024, Jiya Rai embarked on a gruelling solo swim across the English Channel. Battling the cold and challenging currents for 17 hours and 25 minutes, she covered a distance of 34 kilometres. This remarkable feat made her the first female para swimmer with Autism Spectrum Disorder to achieve this solo crossing. For this accomplishment, the Channel Swimming and Pilots Federation of the United Kingdom presented her with the Audrey Scott Award, recognising her as the youngest successful swimmer of the year. Notably, Jiya is the first para swimmer in the world to ever receive this award.
From the English Channel to the Catalina Channel
Jiya's story of breaking barriers did not end in 2024. Demonstrating unparalleled consistency, she took on another mammoth challenge the following year. On September 26, 2025, she swam the Catalina Channel in the USA. Her father, Madan Rai—an Indian Navy sailor posted in Colaba, Mumbai—shared with TOI that this achievement cemented her place in history. "My daughter has cemented her place in the record books by swimming the Catalina Channel of the USA, making her the world's first female para-swimmer to complete this feat solo," he stated proudly. A defence official later confirmed that Jiya now holds the world record for the Catalina Channel swim (2025).
A Trailblazer's Growing List of Accolades
Jiya Rai's journey is decorated with national and international recognition, highlighting her as a symbol of advocacy for individuals with disabilities. Her official list of groundbreaking achievements includes:
- Youngest female para swimmer to cross the English Channel (2024).
- First girl with Autism Spectrum Disorder to swim the English Channel solo (2024).
- First female para-swimmer to swim the Catalina Channel solo (2025).
- World record holder for the Catalina Channel swim (2025).
Her trophy cabinet also features the WOWSA Award 2024, the National Award of Disabilities 2023, and the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2022. Each award underscores her incredible spirit and her role in promoting inclusivity and acceptance.
Jiya Rai, the daughter of a Navy sailor, has transformed her personal challenges into a source of immense inspiration. Through her historic swims across the world's most demanding channels, she has become a powerful global icon, proving that with determination, no barrier is too great to overcome.
