Jiya Rai (Indian Athlete) Age, Biography, Family

Quick Info

Profession	Athlete
Nationality	Indian
Date of Birth	10/05/2008
Age	18 years
Birthplace	Mumbai, India

Latest News about Jiya Rai

25/09/2025

Jiya Rai, a 17-year-old Indian para-swimmer with autism from Mumbai and daughter of Navy sailor Madan Rai, became the first female with ASD to successfully swim solo across the Catalina Channel in the US. She covered the 34 km distance from Catalina Island to San Pedro, California, in 15 hours, 1 minute, and 43 seconds, starting at midnight on September 25 and finishing the next afternoon. In the 100-year history of the channel, only about 500 people have completed this swim, and Jiya dedicated her achievement to autism awareness.

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Bio/Wiki

Condition	Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Physical Stats & More

Height	5' 5" (165 cm)
Eye Color	Black
Hair Color	Black

Educational Qualification(s)

School	Navy Children's School, Colaba, Mumbai, Maharashtra

Personal Life

Religion	Hinduism

Relationships & More

Marital Status	Unmarried

Family

Father	Madan Rai (MC-at-Arms II, Indian Navy)
Mother	Rachana Rai (teacher)
Siblings	Brother - Vaibhav Rai

Career

Awards	Uttar Pradesh Role Model Award of Disability (2021) Maharashtra Stree Shakti Samman Award (2021) Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Purushkar (2022) Temple Grandin Award (2022) (USA) National Award of Disability (2023) Shriver-Kennedy Student Achievement Award (2023) (USA) World Open Water Swimming Association (WOWSA) Award (2024)
Achievements	Holds a world record in open-water swimming. Became the first girl with autism to swim 14 km from Elephanta Island to Gateway of India. First para swimmer to swim 22 km from Arnala Fort to Vasai Fort. Broken an Indian swimmer’s record by swimming from Bandra-Worli Sea Link to Gateway of India. Won three gold medals at the 20th National Para-Swimming Championship 2020. Youngest and fastest female to swim across the Palk Strait. Youngest and fastest para-swimmer to swim across the English Channel (34 km in 17 hours 25 minutes on 28/07/2024). First female with autism spectrum disorder to swim across the Catalina Channel (34 km in 15 hours 1 minute 43 seconds on 25/09/2025). First para swimmer to set a National Record by swimming 14 km from Elephanta Island to Gateway of India in 3 hours 27 minutes (February 2020). First female with autism spectrum disorder to swim across the English Channel in its 150-year history. Accumulated 39 gold medals throughout her swimming career. Completed an epic 1,100 km relay swim from Mumbai to Goa and back (2022). Youngest and only special child to complete the 81 km Bhagirathi River swim in 13 hours 10 minutes at the 77th Open Water Long Distance Swimming Competition (September 2023).

Awards

Uttar Pradesh Role Model Award of Disability (2021)
Maharashtra Stree Shakti Samman Award (2021)
Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Purushkar (2022)
Temple Grandin Award (2022) (USA)
National Award of Disability (2023)
Shriver-Kennedy Student Achievement Award (2023) (USA)
World Open Water Swimming Association (WOWSA) Award (2024)

Achievements

Holds a world record in open-water swimming.
Became the first girl with autism to swim 14 km from Elephanta Island to Gateway of India.
First para swimmer to swim 22 km from Arnala Fort to Vasai Fort.
Broken an Indian swimmer’s record by swimming from Bandra-Worli Sea Link to Gateway of India.
Won three gold medals at the 20th National Para-Swimming Championship 2020.
Youngest and fastest female to swim across the Palk Strait.
Youngest and fastest para-swimmer to swim across the English Channel (34 km in 17 hours 25 minutes on 28/07/2024).
First female with autism spectrum disorder to swim across the Catalina Channel (34 km in 15 hours 1 minute 43 seconds on 25/09/2025).
First para swimmer to set a National Record by swimming 14 km from Elephanta Island to Gateway of India in 3 hours 27 minutes (February 2020).
First female with autism spectrum disorder to swim across the English Channel in its 150-year history.
Accumulated 39 gold medals throughout her swimming career.
Completed an epic 1,100 km relay swim from Mumbai to Goa and back (2022).
Youngest and only special child to complete the 81 km Bhagirathi River swim in 13 hours 10 minutes at the 77th Open Water Long Distance Swimming Competition (September 2023).

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. Jiya is an international open-water para swimmer from India.
2. Her parents noticed developmental differences when she was 15 months old.
3. Jiya had minimal interest in her birthday party when she was two years old.
4. She was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder after her parents researched her behavior.
5. Jiya's parents undertook various therapies to aid her development.
6. Initially faced harsh treatment from peers and adults, affecting her social life.
7. Started swimming at two years old and eventually mastered various strokes.
8. Won two inter-class swimming medals shortly after beginning school.
9. At age five, started training with assistance due to communication challenges.
10. A coach identified her potential at an inter-school competition.
11. In 2017, she began open-water swimming training.
12. Competed in various races, achieving notable rankings from an early age.
13. Featured by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 'Mann Ki Baat'.
14. Has multiple records recognized in the Asia Book of Records and India Book of Records.
15. Although non-verbal, her parents guided her through videos, leading to her thriving para-swimming career.
16. Dedicated her swims to autism awareness.

Jiya Rai Athlete Indian Mumbai, India