Japan downs Sweden, wins Spike for Peace gold

Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Japan dominated Sweden, 21-19, 21-11, to capture the gold medal in the Spike for Peace international beach volleyball tournament Thursday night at Philsports Arena.

Akiko Hasegawa made sure the gold medal belonged to Japan with her quick hit in the middle leaving the Swedish duo of Karin Erika Lundqvist and Anne-lie Helene Rininsland looking at the sand.

It was a perfect tournament for the Japanese as Hasegawa and Ayumi Kusano went 6-0 throughout the whole tournament, including 3-0 in the eliminations in Group C.

Sweden went 4-2 overall in the tournament with its other loss also dealt by Japan. The Japanese beat the Swedes in three sets, 17-21, 21-18, 17-15, in the elimination round.

Kusano Ayumi had 26 points for Japan while Hasegawa had nine.

Lundqvist and Rininsland, the national champions of Sweden, had 15 and 10 points, respectively.

Kusano and Hasegawa also took home $8,000 while the Swedes were $5,000 richer as consolation for finishing in second.