Rebecca Soni of the United States competes during the final of women's 200m breaststroke at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 15, 2008. Rebecca Soni won the gold medal with a new world record of 2 minutes 20.22 seconds. (Xinhua/Fan Jun)

Rebecca Soni of the United States won the Olympic gold medal by shattering the world record 0.32 second in the women's 200m breaststroke final here on Friday.

Closely tailed by the world record holder Leisel Jones from Australia, Soni finished the first 150m at 1:43.70 and then fired a power charge in the final leg by touching home at 2:20.22, beating Jones in a body length advantage, and bettering her record 0.32 second.

American Rebecca Soni broke the world record to win the women's 200m breaststroke gold medal at the Beijing Olympic Games on Friday.(Xinhua/Fan Jun)

Jones, who already bagged a silver for the event in the Athen Games, took her second in 2:22.05, and the bronze went to Norway's Sara Nordenstam who was timed 2:23.02.

"It feels great. I can't believe what just happened. I've won a gold medal. It has been a long road to get here," said Soni, who was only substituted to the event after Jessica Hardy withdrew due to a failed drug test.

"I turned (at the 150m mark) and realised I was first. I knew I had a little bit left in me, so I tried to stay relaxed and strong," the breaststroker added.