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ROME, Italy, July 28. SHE might not have lowered her world record, but Rebecca Soni of the U.S. proved consistency still wins out with her second 1:04 in as many days to win the women's 100 breast title at the FINA World Championships.
Soni, who turned second at 31.00, cleared 1:05 again with a 1:04.93. She missed her global standard of 1:04.84 from yesterday, but the time still stands as the second-fastest ever.
"The 100 has been a rising event for me," Soni said. "I never thought of myself as a 100 swimmer. It's unbelievable for me to be sitting here as the 100 winner."
Joining her on the podium was compatriot Kasey Carlson. Carlson won bronze with a 1:05.75 to join the 1:05 club. She was obviously elated as the Universal Sports television crew pulled away from Soni to show Carlson's celebration at the end of the race.
"It's a great feeling," Carlson said of finishing on the podium. "I've been training hard."
"I wasn't surprised at all that Kasey made it," Soni said. "I knew she was there on the turn, and I'm really proud of her."
Russia's Yuliya Efimova split the difference with a 1:05.41 for silver, which broke her top mark of 1:05.80 set in April.
Australia's Sarah Katsoulis (1:05.86), Canada's Annamay Pierse (1:06.37), Denmark's Rikke Moller-Pedersen (1:06.38), Austria's Mirna Jukic (1:06.75) and Germany's Sarah Poewe (1:07.01) were also part of the finale.