22/06/2025
She canтАЩt hear the noise of the crowd, but she can feel the silence of the sea.
At just 13 years old, Jiya Rai, a para swimmer with autism, swam 34 km across the English Channel in 14 hours and 25 minutes, becoming the worldтАЩs youngest and fastest para swimmer to ever do it.
No shortcuts. No excuses. Just sheer willpower and waves.
Born with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Jiya didnтАЩt just cross the Channel тАФ she crossed every limit society placed before her.
From the Palk Strait to the English Channel, sheтАЩs rewriting history, one stroke at a time.
Jiya Rai is an inspiring young Indian para-swimmer from Mumbai. Born on May 10, 2008, she was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the age of two and grew up in a family with deep naval rootsтАФher father, Madan Rai, serves as a Master Chief Petty Officer with the Indian Navy я┐╝.
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ЁЯПЕ Notable Achievements
тАв At 16, she became the youngest and fastest para-swimmer to cross the English Channel (34 km in 17 hrs 25 min) on July 28тАУ29, 2024, swimming from AbbotтАЩs Cliff (UK) to Pointe de la Courte-Dune (France) я┐╝.
тАв Earlier swims include the Palk Strait (Sri Lanka to India, 29 km in 13 hrs 10 min, March 2022) я┐╝ and a 1,100 km relay swim from Mumbai to Goa and back я┐╝.
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ЁЯМЯ Background
тАв Daughter of a naval serviceman, Jiya began swimming early and garnered national attention by winning state-level competitions by age six я┐╝.
тАв She holds multiple national and world records, including the Palk Strait crossing, and has been honored with IndiaтАЩs Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (2022) я┐╝.
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ЁЯМК Summary
Detail Information
From Mumbai, India (parents from Azamgarh originally)
Condition Autism Spectrum Disorder
Father Madan Rai (Indian Navy)
Biggest Feat English Channel crossing, 34 km (July 2024)