Jiya Rai: The Youngest Para Swimmer to Conquer English Channel

Jiya Rai, a 16-year-old with Autism Spectrum Disorder from Mumbai, has become the world's youngest and fastest para swimmer to cross the English Channel. She completed the swim from England to France in 17 hours and 25 minutes. Jiya has numerous achievements and aims to be the first para swimmer to swim seven oceans.

Jiya Rai, a remarkable 16-year-old from Mumbai with Autism Spectrum Disorder, has set a new record as the world's youngest and fastest para swimmer to cross the English Channel. She achieved this on July 28-29, completing the challenging swim from England to France in 17 hours and 25 minutes, covering a distance of 34 kilometers.

Jiya, the daughter of Madan Rai, MC-at-Arms serving in Mumbai, has earned admiration and congratulations from the Western Naval Command (WNC). '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,' wrote the WNC on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

Despite her neurological and developmental condition, Jiya continues to break boundaries. She previously swam 1,100 kilometers as part of a relay team from Mumbai to Goa and back. Notably, she holds records for crossing both the Palk Bay and Palk Strait. Her aspirations include becoming the first para swimmer to swim across seven oceans, adding to her already inspiring list of achievements.

(With inputs from agencies.)