18-year-old Jiya Rai makes history with Open-Water Swimming Triple Crown
Eighteen-year-old Jiya Rai completed the gruelling 48-km Manhattan swim in 8 hours and 53 minutes, adding another milestone to her record-breaking journey.
Eighteen-year-old Indian para-swimmer Jiya Rai has become the first female para-swimmer in the world to complete the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming.
Jiya completed the 48-km 20 Bridges Swim Around Manhattan in New York on August 30, finishing the gruelling solo swim in 8 hours and 53 minutes. She is also the first girl with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to achieve the feat in the event’s nearly 100-year history.
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Her Triple Crown includes the English Channel (2024), Catalina Channel (2025) and 20 Bridges Swim Around Manhattan (2026). She dedicated the achievement to raising awareness about autism.
The Manhattan swim is among the world’s toughest open-water challenges, with strong currents, unpredictable weather, cold water and heavy boat traffic. Swimmers must complete the course without leaving the water.
The daughter of Indian Navy officer Madan Rai, Jiya has also completed solo swims across the Palk Strait and other challenging waters. She was felicitated by Vishal Jayeshbhai Harsh, Deputy Consul General of India in New York.
Despite being non-verbal and living with ASD, Jiya has earned several honours, including the WOWSA Award, the National Award for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities and the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar.
Published: 02 Sept 2026, 05:39 pm IST
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