Japan settles for volleyball bronze

NAGOYA (Kyodo) Japan settled for the bronze medal as Brazil crushed the host in straight sets to successfully defend its World Grand Champions Cup title on Monday.

World No. 1 Brazil (5-0) beat Japan 25-12, 26-24, 25-22 at Nippongaishi Hall to finish the competition undefeated at 5-0 and won its third overall title.

Despite suffering its 24th consecutive loss to Brazil, Japan had reason to celebrate as it was the country's first podium finish at a major international competition in 32 years, since finishing second to the former Soviet Union at the 1977 World Cup meet in Tokyo.

Earlier in the day, Cuba (4-1) saw off Iran (1-4) 25-14, 25-22, 15-25, 25-15 to secure second, while Poland (2-3) took fourth after handing Egypt its fifth straight loss in a 25-19, 25-18, 25-19 victory. Iran and Egypt finished in fifth and sixth, respectively.