LONDON - Rebecca Soni of USA bettered her own world record to claim gold in the women's 200 metres breaststroke at the Olympic Games on Thursday.

The American won in 2:19.59, improving her previous mark set in yetserday's seminfinals.

World record evolution (Time, Name/Nationality, Place, Date):
2:19.59 Rebecca Soni USA London 02.08.12
2:20.00 Rebecca Soni USA London 01.08.12
2:20.12 Annamay Pierse CAN Rome 30.07.09
2:20.22 Rebecca Soni USA Beijing 15.08.08
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