(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
A 17-year-old girl with autism spectrum disorder has made history as the first female para-swimmer to conquer the Catalina Channel near Los Angeles. Jiya Rai completed the challenging 34-kilometer solo swim in an impressive 15 hours, 1 minute, and 43 seconds. She kicked off her journey at midnight on September 25 from Catalina Island and reached the California coast near San Pedro the next day.
Jiya, the daughter of Indian Navy sailor Madan Rai, dedicated this epic feat to autism awareness. Her determination shines through in her growing list of triumphs. In 2024, she set a world record by becoming the youngest and fastest para-swimmer to cross the English Channel solo. That 34-kilometer swim from England’s Abbotts Cliff to France’s Pte De La Courte-Dune took her 17 hours and 25 minutes in late July. She’s also the first girl with autism to achieve this in the 150-year history of English Channel swims.
Back in 2022, Jiya swam across the Palk Strait, adding to her international acclaim. Her achievements have earned her top honors, including the World Open Water Swimming Association (WOWSA) Award in 2024, the National Award for Disabilities in 2023, and India’s Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar in 2024.
These open-water swims test every ounce of grit. The English Channel, for instance, brings treacherous currents, jellyfish stings, floating debris, and frigid 18°C water that risks hypothermia. It’s one of the world’s busiest shipping routes, with over 600 vessels like tankers and ferries crossing daily, and weather can flip in an instant. Swimmers must follow strict rules from groups like the Channel Swimming Association—no touching the escort boat or leaving the water. Crew members pass food and drinks using a long stick to keep things fair.
Fewer people have solo-swum the English Channel—around 1,700 in the last century—than have summited Mount Everest. Jiya’s story highlights the power of perseverance, especially for para-swimmers and those raising autism awareness.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
