Colaba's Jiya Rai Becomes First Female Para-Swimmer to Win Triple Crown
Eighteen-year-old open-water swimmer Jiya Rai, a resident of Navy Nagar in Colaba, has become the first female para-swimmer to successfully achieve the Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming. She achieved the historic milestone after completing the 20 Bridges Swim Around Manhattan in New York City on August 30.
Rai, who has Autism Spectrum Disorder, completed the 48-kilometre solo swim in a time of eight hours and 53 minutes. In doing so, she became the first female para-swimmer and the first girl with Autism Spectrum Disorder to complete the feat in the event’s nearly 100-year history.
An Indian Navy official stated that Rai dedicated the swim to raising awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorder. Following her successful swim, Vishal Jayeshbhai Harsh, the deputy consul general of India in New York, felicitated the young athlete.
Her father, Madan Rai, a Junior Commissioned Officer (Master-at-Arms) in the Indian Navy, detailed her schedule during the event. He stated that she began the swim from Battery Park City early in the morning and completed the course that afternoon.
The Triple Crown of Open Water Swimming comprises three major open-water challenges: crossing the English Channel, which Rai completed in 2024; crossing the Catalina Channel, which she completed in 2025; and finishing the 20 Bridges Swim Around Manhattan.
According to the official, the Manhattan course is regarded as one of the world’s toughest open-water challenges due to powerful tidal currents, unpredictable weather conditions, heavy boat traffic, and changing currents.
