Beijing - Rebecca Soni of the United States won the women’s 200m breaststroke with a new a world record.

Soni clocked in 2:20:22, beating world record-holder Leisel Jones and erasing the Aussie's world-best time at the Beijing Olympic Games on Friday.

US swimmer Rebecca Soni (L) celebrates nest to Australia's Liesel Jones after winning the women's 200m breaststroke final at the National Aquatics Center during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Beijing on August 15, 2008. Soni set a new world record in the women's 200 metres breaststroke with a time of two minutes 20.22 seconds in the final. [Agencies]

Soni had a body length ahead of Jones, who settle for the siliver. Both women were under world-record pace throughout the four-lap race.

Sara Nordenstam of Norway earned the bronze in 2:23.02. It was the 19th world record set in the pool at these games.