Rebecca Soni beats Leisel Jones for gold in women's 200m Breaststroke with new WR

Rebecca Soni of the United States caused a sensation in the women's 200m Breaststroke final by beating world record holder Leisel Jones of Australia to win the gold medal, setting a world record of 2:20.22 at the National Aquatics Center on Friday.


(Photo credit: Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Soni went into the race with the second fastest time of the year and had won the silver behind Jones on Tuesday in the 100m Breaststroke. This time around Jones was no match for Soni, who touched the wall 0.32 seconds under the old world mark of Jones who was well-beaten.

Soni and Jones were going stroke-for-stroke for the first 150 meters until Soni touched first at the final turn and pulled away from the Australian with ease to win her first Olympic Gold medal.


(Photo credit: Xinhua/Chen Kai)

Jones has consistently been the fastest swimmer in the world since 2005 and was well clear of the pack on best times. She misses out on the gold medal in this event for the second time, having being pushed into silver in the Athens 2004 Olympic Games.

Sara Nordenstam of Norway took the bronze medal in a time of 2:23.02.


(Photo credit: Xinhua/Fan Jun)