U.S. Olympic Swimmer Rebecca Soni Wins Gold, Breaks Own World Record

by uInterviewAugust 3, 2012, 12:00 amNews >

Thursday was not just a big day for Michael Phelps. Olympic swimmer Rebecca Soni, 25, also finished an event everyone was sure would be her specialty, the 200m breaststroke, for the second time, breaking her own world record.

"She was just so ecstatic about it," said Soni's coach, Dave Salo, about Soni's 2 min 19.59 second win, a full second faster than silver medalist Satomi Suzuki from Japan did, reports the Washington Post.

"I'm so happy," said Soni. "I didn't try to focus on medals or records, I just wanted to swim one more race the way I knew I could …. I just wanted my hand on the wall. I was scared to look. I can't believe it yet."

This particular victory is something Soni has been after for a long time. "It's been my goal since I was a little kid to swim under 2:20," she said. "When my coach told me, 'You're going to be the first woman to go under 2:20,' I've been chasing it every since.

Soni has one more chance to score gold in the women's 4×100 medley relay. She also nabbed the silver medal in the 100m breaststroke on Tuesday.

For more on the 2012 London Olympics:

Michael Phelps Beats Ryan Lochte, Wins 20th Gold Medal

Michael Phelps Celebrates Historic Win

Michael Phelps Breaks Record For Most Olympic Medals Of All Time

The Phelps Family Reflects On Michael Phelps' Olympic Career

Is Micahel Phelps' Rival, Ryan Lochte, Finding Love On The Water?

Michael Phelps To Retire After London Games

SLIDESHOW: Michael Phelps

SLIDESHOW: Nastia Liukin

Double Amputee 'Blade Runner' Oscar Pistorius Blazing A Trail For South Africa

Ryan Lochte Beats Michael Phelps At World Championships