Host nation Japan stunned China in three sets that assured them of at least the Bronze medal in the Finals of the FIVB World Grand Prix in Tokyo on Friday.

Setter Haruka Miyashita handled the ball very well for Japan as she effectively distributed her sets to team captain Saori Kimura, Miyu Nagaoka and Yuki Ishii who combined 43 points to stun the Chinese nationals 25-21, 25-17, 25-21.

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Although the Chinese women were taller than their counterparts and could reach high over the net, the Japanese nationals found holes in their blocks that allowed them to produce more attack points.

Japan was also strong in their serves as they produced seven service aces compared to one by China.

"China had a very high block but our attackers were able to hit well between their blocks," Japan coach Masayoshi Manabe said. "From the second half of the match our serves were very effective."

Japan has won all three of their matches in the finals and has collected nine points, guaranteeing them at least the Bronze medal. If they win their next match against Belgium on Saturday, they are assured of the Silver.

Brazil on the other hand also won their match against Belgium 25-10, 25-12, 25-12 and has now collected seven points.

The defending champions Brazil still has a chance at the Gold medal if they defeat Russia on Saturday and Japan on the last day of the finals on Sunday.

Russia is currently in third place with five points and must win all of their remaining matches against Brazil and China in order to guarantee them at least the Bronze medal.

China is already out of contention for the Gold medal and needs to win all of their matches to have at least a chance for the Bronze and maybe even the Silver if Brazil loses all of its remaining matches.

TagsHaruka Miyashita, Saori Kimura, Miyu Nagaoka, Yuki Ishii, Masayoshi Manabe, fivb