BEIJING – American Rebecca Soni, has set a new world record for the women’s 200 metres breaststroke.

The 21-year-old from Plainsboro has won gold in a time of 2:20.22 (32.17, 1:07.46, 1:43.70) and beat the mark of 2:20.54 set by Leisel Jones, today silver medallist in 2:22.05.

Sara Nordenstam of Norway won bronze medal in a new European record time of 2:23.02.

The previous mark of 2:23.76 was set in yesterday’s seminfinals by Mirna Jukic of Austra, 4th in today’s final with 2:23.24.

World record evolution (Time, Name/Nationality, Place, Date):

2:20.54 Leisel Jones AUS Melbourne 01.02.06
2:21.72 Leisel Jones AUS Montreal 29.07.05
2:22.44 Amanda Beard USA Long Beach 12.07.04
2:22.96 Leisel Jones AUS Brisbane 10.07.04
2:22.99 Hui Qi CHN Hangzhou 13.04.01