Los Angeles [United States]: Jiya Rai, a 17-year-old para-swimmer with autism spectrum disorder, has scripted history by becoming the first autistic woman to successfully swim solo across the Catalina Channel in Los Angeles, USA.
Beginning her attempt at midnight on September 25 from Catalina Island, Jiya completed the grueling 34-kilometer stretch in 15 hours, 1 minute, and 43 seconds, reaching San Pedro on the California coast on September 26. She dedicated her swim to raising awareness about autism. Jiya is the daughter of Indian Navy MC-at-Arms II, Madan Rai.
Her achievement adds to an already remarkable record. In 2022, Jiya set world records by swimming across the Palk Strait and the English Channel. She was honored with the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar in 2024, the National Award for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities in 2023, and the World Open Water Swimming Association (WOWSA) Award in 2024.
Last year, Jiya became the world’s youngest and fastest para-swimmer to cross the English Channel, completing the 34-km distance in 17 hours and 25 minutes. The English Channel swim, held from Abbotts Cliff, England, to Pte De La Courte-Dune, France, was also dedicated to autism awareness.
Channel swimming is considered one of the toughest endurance challenges in the world due to freezing water temperatures, strong currents, sudden weather changes, and the heavy traffic of more than 600 vessels daily. Despite these dangers, Jiya persevered, showcasing extraordinary courage and resilience.
According to official data, more people have climbed Mount Everest than swum across the English Channel in the past century, with only about 1,700 successful crossings.
With her latest feat in California, Jiya Rai has once again demonstrated that determination and spirit can conquer the toughest of waters, while also carrying forward her mission to spread awareness about autism across the globe.
