Defending champion Brazil overpowered Japan to score a straight-sets victory on Sunday, denying the host a third straight win on the final day of the World Grand Prix Tokyo leg in women's volleyball.
Mari Steinbrecher and Welissa Gonzaga matched each other with a game-high 14 points as Brazil outjumped and outclassed the Japanese en route to a 25-22, 25-16, 25-20 win at Ariake Colosseum in a game between previously undefeated teams.
Erika Araki, who played a key role in Japan's wins over Cuba and South Korea the previous two days, was well-marked by the Brazilians at the net and held to nine points, including five in the first set.
Chinese-born attacker Shuka Oyama also had a team-high nine points after coming on during the second set.
In the day's other game, Cuba (1-2) beat winless South Korea (0-3) 25-23, 25-20, 25-23 for its first win of the preliminary round.
The World Grand Prix features 12 teams in the preliminary round and the top six will advance to the Sept. 6-10 finals in Italy.