Now, Belligerent Jiya Rai Conquers English Channel
By Manu Shrivastava
In a world where challenges define the human spirit, Ms. Jiya Rai, a 16-year-old girl with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), has carved her name into history. Daughter of Madan Rai, Master Chief at Arms II in the Indian Navy, Jiya not only conquered the English Channel but did so in a record-breaking time, becoming the youngest and fastest para swimmer globally to achieve this solo feat.
Her extraordinary journey across the treacherous waters spanned 34 kilometers, taking 17 hours and 25 minutes, a testament to her unparalleled determination and strength.
Setting out from Abbotts Cliff, England, on the 28th of July, 2024, Jiya's odyssey culminated at Pte De La Courte-Dune, France, in the early hours of the following day. This remarkable achievement marks a significant milestone in the 150-year history of Channel swimming, as she is the first girl with Autism Spectrum Disorder to conquer these unforgiving waters. Her swim, dedicated to raising awareness for autism, was part of the English Channel Sea Swimming 2024 event, held from 21st to 28th July, entirely focused on this noble cause.
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| Winner Jia Rai holds the tricolour high, once again |
Adhering to the stringent rules set by the Channel Swimming Association, Jiya was not allowed to leave the water or make contact with her support boat or team. Food and hydration were provided by the crew using a long stick, a method that underscores the isolation and self-reliance required for such an endeavor. Indeed, more people have summited Mount Everest than swum across the English Channel, with only about 1,700 successful crossings recorded in the last century.
Jiya Rai's journey is not merely one of athletic prowess but a profound narrative of overcoming personal and societal challenges. Diagnosed with ASD at the tender age of two, Jiya's non-verbal condition didn't hinder her from discovering a passion for swimming. This journey began innocuously with daily park visits and evolved into a stellar para swimming career, adorned with a plethora of accolades.
Her list of accomplishments is impressive. Among her many awards, Jiya received the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar, India's highest civilian award for exceptional achievement by children. In March 2022, she shattered the world record for the fastest swim across the Palk Strait, covering 29 kilometers in 13 hours and 10 minutes.
She also earned the Shriver-Kennedy Student Achievement Award in 2023, presented by the Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities (DADD) in the USA. This accolade celebrated her remarkable performance in open water swimming and was bestowed during DADD's annual conference in Clearwater, Florida, on the 19th of January, 2023.
Further solidifying her legacy, Jiya participated in the 77th edition of the Open Water Long Distance Swimming Competition organized by the Murshidabad Swimming Association in the Bhagirathi River on the 3rd of September, 2023. Of the 24 participants in the grueling 81 km event, only 14 completed the swim within the stipulated 13 hours and 30 minutes. Jiya, the youngest and only special child among them, finished in an impressive 13 hours and 10 minutes, making history once again.
Jiya Rai's story is not just one of swimming across vast distances but of bridging the gaps of understanding and acceptance. Her achievements illuminate the boundless potential of those often underestimated and overlooked. She is the embodiment of resilience and the indomitable human spirit, an inspiration to all.
