JAPAN’S Ayumi Kusano and Akiko Hasegawa ripped Sweden’s Karin Erika Lundqvist and Anne Lie Helene Rinisland, 21-19, 21-12, last night to rule the Spike for Peace international beach volleyball championship.
The Japanese allowed the Swedes to lead 17-13 in the first set before rushing the set in the tourney held at Philsports Arena.
The second set was an all-Japanese show as they zoomed to 18-8 in utter mastery of the turf that left Rinisland limping most of the set.
Japan bagged $8,000 in the meet which marked the first time beach volleyball was held in an indoor arena in the country.
Its victory underscored Asia’s strength in the sport as three regional teams wound up in the top five of the meet with Indonesia placing third, and Thailand fifth. The Philippines fielded two teams but neither scored a win in the three matches they each played.