England’s Ananya Prasad has become the first woman of colour to complete a solo row across the Atlantic, finishing the grueling 3,000-mile journey in 52 days, 5 hours, and 44 minutes. She set off from La Gomera in the Canary Islands on 11 December 2024 and reached Antigua on 31 January 2025. Along the way, she raised more than $285,000 for mental health initiatives and support for orphaned children, securing second place in the solo category of the World’s Toughest Row race. Ananya Prasad was born in Bengaluru, India, and moved to the United Kingdom at the age of five. She was raised in the UK and currently resides in Sheffield.
The journey was anything but smooth. Towering waves, unrelenting winds, and the vast solitude of the ocean were only part of the challenge. At one point, her rudder failed, forcing her to dive into the open sea for repairs. Her routine was brutal—rowing up to 15 hours a day on minimal sleep while rationing supplies and navigating unpredictable waters. She marked Christmas and New Year’s Eve alone at sea, adding a personal layer to an already testing adventure.
Years of preparation went into this feat. Physical training, technical skills, and mental resilience became the foundation of her success. Her mission extended beyond personal achievement. She aimed to challenge stereotypes in adventure sports and bring attention to mental health and child welfare. The funds raised will support the Mental Health Foundation and the Deenabandhu Trust, which provides homes and education for orphaned children in South India.
Ananya’s journey has struck a chord far beyond the sporting world. Her reflections on perseverance and courage resonate with those facing their own personal challenges. “Courage is attempting things even when you think you may fail,” she said, a statement that now carries the weight of 3,000 miles of open water.
Her achievement is a reminder of what’s possible when resilience meets purpose. By taking on one of the toughest endurance tests on the planet, she has shown that barriers—both physical and societal—are meant to be pushed.
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🌟Ananya Prasad becomes the first woman of colour to row solo across the Atlantic in 52 days. 🚣♀️ She raised $285k for mental health & orphaned children, inspiring resilience & breaking barriers. 💬 Celebrate her incredible journey! 🌟 #TheIndianSunhttps://t.co/8mKm0ippUx
— The Indian Sun (@The_Indian_Sun) February 15, 2025
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