Brazil beat China to win women's volleyball gold

Brazil upset host China 3-1 in the women's volleyball final to win their third straight title in the sport at the Military World Games here on Tuesday.

Bahrain bagged three gold medals from the track and field out of eight on offer as the athletics events kicked off.

Ellen Braga had 20 points to lead Brazil to the victory over China 3-1 (25-23, 23-25, 25-23, 25-19) in a rematch of the 2011 and 2015 editions finals. China's Wang Yunlu had a game-high 23 points, but not enough to save the Chinese side that committed 36 errors.

The DPR Korea breezed past Germany 3-0 (25-17, 25-12, 25-9) for the bronze of women's volleyball.

Despite a final defeat in women's volleyball, the host registered excellent performances in military sports, claiming golds from parachuting women's and women's junior individual styles as well as lifesaving men's and women's 200m obstacle swims.

"I'm really excited. It's the first time for me to participate in this level of competition as a soldier," said Zhang Sishi, the women's 200m obstacle swim winner. "It means a lot to me because I've prepared a long time for this match."

As the athletics events started on Tuesday, Asian champion Winfred Yavi won the first gold for Bahrain from the women's 3,000m steeplechase, finishing with a time of nine minutes and 19.24 seconds.

"It's good because it encourages other athletes in Bahrain to come and defend the title four years later, or for me if I come and defend the title again," Yavi said.

One gold in hand, the Bahrainis did not slow their pace on the track. Abbas Abubakar Abbas (45.84) and Musa Isah (46.70) added a gold and a bronze for their country in men's 400m race, before back-to-back world champion Salwa Naser eased to women's 400m victory in 50.15.

"It feels amazing," Naser said. "The people in Bahrain will be happy that I got to win the gold medal in the Military Games."

In the men's 100m competitions, former Asian champion Hassan Taftian of Iran took home the men's gold in 10.24, followed by Paulo Andre Oliveira of Brazil in 10.32 and Amaury Golitin of France in 10.35.

"I feel very happy to win this gold. I had been to the South Korea Military Games [in 2015] but I finished fourth. This time I win the gold," said Taftian.

Carolle Zahi of France was the fastest in the women's 100m event, finishing the race in 11.36 seconds. Brazilians Rosangela Santos (11.39) and Vitoria Rosa (11.40) settled in the second and third places.

"The season was really long and I was a little tired when I was out there, but it's competition and when you want to win, you forget everything around you," said Zahi, who won the race from lane one.

Turkey snatched their first gold at the Games, as Fatih Yasarli had a commanding 11-0 victory over Andris Ozolins Ozols of Latvia in wrestling men's 125kg freestyle final.

Elsewhere, Russia was the biggest winner in team events on Tuesday, winning men's foil, women's epee, and men's judo. The two remaining team golds went to the Chinese women's judo team and the Italian trap mixed shooting team.

"We have a strong team," said Mikhail Igolnikov, who also had an individual gold from judo men's -90kg category. "This is my first time competing in the Military World Games. It is a good competition and I have learned a lot from that."

Russia's world record holder Anton Chupkov flexed his muscles in men's 200m breaststroke, winning the title in 2:07.95, 0.46 seconds ahead of China's Qin Haiyang, and then immediately joined his teammates to win men's 4X100m medley, claiming his third gold at the tournament.

Brazil was dominant in golf with Suely Miriam Nagl winning the women's individual event with an even-par 288. Nagl, who led the 24 participants all the way since the first round, had a 4-under 68 in the fourth round on Tuesday to secure the gold and contributed to the team gold of her country.

Shot putter Darlan Romani defended his title at the tournament, while 2017 South American champion Geison Dzioubanov and Ana Barbachan triumphed in mixed 470 Class race of sailing, adding two more golds for Brazil.

As the fourth matchday concluded, China led the medal standings with 54 golds. Russia was second with 27 and Brazil returned to top three with 10.