Soni sets world record in 200 breast semis

Soni celebrates after setting her world record to reach the 200-meter breaststroke final. (Getty Images)

LONDON -- Rebecca Soni of the United States set a world record in the 200-meter breaststroke semifinals at the London Olympics on Wednesday.

Soni timed 2 minutes, 20.00 seconds, shaving 0.12 seconds off the previous mark set by Annamay Pierse of Canada at the 2009 world championships in Rome in a now-banned bodysuit.

It was the fifth world record set in the pool at these games.

Rikke Pedersen of Denmark qualified second in 2:22.23 and Satomi Suzuki of Japan was third in 2:22.40.

The top eight finishers qualified for Thursday's final.

Soni was also favored to win the 100 breast but took silver behind surprise 15-year-old winner Ruta Meilutyte of Lithuania.

Meilutyte did not enter the 200.