ATHENS, Greece - American Amanda Beard won her first individual Olympic gold medal Thursday night, holding off Australian Leisel Jones in the 200-meter breaststroke.

Beard won in an Olympic-record time of 2 minutes, 23.37 seconds — 0.23 seconds better than Jones, who was under world-record pace for the first 150 meters.

Jones took silver in 2:23.60. Anne Poleska of Germany earned bronze in 2:25.82.

“It feels absolutely amazing,” said Beard. “I’m very proud, very excited, very honored. I can’t wipe the smile off my face.”

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Beard and Jones are the two fastest female breaststrokers in history. Jones owned the world record for two days in July before Beard broke it at the U.S. trials with a time of 2:22.44. The American also is the reigning world champion.

Beard, of Irvine, Calif., earned her sixth career Olympic medal. She also won a silver in the 200 individual medley in Athens. Four years ago, she was the bronze medalist in the 200 breast.

“The 200 is my baby. I love swimming the 200,” said Beard. “I have fun with it. I am really proud of my 100 but I’m even more stoked about my 200.

“The only thought going through my head is not to think about the pain, don’t think about losing, just go for it, give it your best and that’s what I truly did.”

Jones earned a bronze in the 100 breaststroke at these games.

Defending Olympic champion Agnes Kovacs of Hungary finished fifth in the 200.

Brooke Hanson of Australia, the silver medalist in the 100 breaststroke in Athens, finished eighth and last.

Swimming - Women's 200-meter Breaststroke (medals: Aug. 19th) Medal Athlete Country Result Gold Amanda Beard United States 2:23.37 Silver Leisel Jones Australia 2:23.60 Bronze Anne Poleska Germany 2:25.82 NBCO: Schedules, preliminary result and complete final results

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