2009 Female Swimmer of the Year

Rebecca Soni is one of the fastest female breaststrokers in the world. She is an Olympic gold medalist, NCAA Champion, and recently won the Golden Goggle for Female Swimmer of the Year. She earned three Olympic medals in Beijing, as well as a World Championship in 2009. She currently swims in southern California and trains at the University of Southern California, her alma mater.

Golden Girl

Soni burst onto the international scene in 2008 at the U.S. Olympic Trials, where she qualified and won the 200m breaststroke. At the Beijing Olympic Games, Soni had the swim of a liftime, stunning defending champion Leisel Jones of Australia to win gold in world record time. After Jessica Hardy was disqualified from the Olympic Team, Soni had the opportunity to swim the 100m breaststroke, and she made the most of it, earning a silver medal. She also won silver with the 400 medley relay team.

NCAA Four-Peat

In addition to her long course success, Soni is one of the greatest short-course stroke specialists in history. At the 2009 NCAA Championships, Soni completed a “four-peat” of the 200yd breaststroke – joining a select club of athletes who have successfully defended one event over the course of four consecutive years. Soni completed the feat while sweeping the breaststroke events for the second straight year for the USC Trojans.

A Special 2009

Soni further established herself as one of the best breaststrokers in the world with her performance at the 2009 World Championships. In Rome, Soni dominated the 100m breaststroke, setting a world record and winning a gold medal. She also added a silver in the 50m breaststroke, but in the 200m she opened up a large lead before running out of gas at the end and failing to reach the podium. Her 2009 performances earned her a Golden Goggle as Female Swimmer of the Year.

Goin’ Pro

Soni recently signed a contract with Arena, solidifying her staying power as a professional swimmer. “It definitely is nice to have someone supporting you,” she tells Swimnetwork.com. “Everything is falling into place. I am very thankful and grateful to be with such a great product and company.” For now, the 2009 Swimmer of the Year looks forward to 2010, living and training in Los Angeles, and hoping to build on the phenomenal success she’s achieved already.

Olympian (2008)

3 Olympic Medals (1 gold, 2 silver)
2008 Olympics (Beijing)
GOLD
200m Breaststroke
SILVER
100m Breaststroke
400m Medley Relay

2 World Medals (1 gold, 1 silver)
2009 World Championships (Rome)
GOLD
100m Breaststroke
SILVER
50m Breaststroke

Current World Records
100m Breaststroke (SC) - 1:02.70 (2009 Duel in the Pool, Manchester)
200m Breaststroke (SC) - 2:14.57 (2009 Duel in the Pool, Manchester)