TAKAHASHI/GOTTSU POWERS TO VICTORY AS SCARBROUGH/DAVIS SCORE FIRST WORLD TOUR WIN
BANGKOK, May 14, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- It was an action-packed final day at the Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) Beach Volleyball World Tour -- Bangkok Open 2018 on Sunday. The final day saw the best four men's and women's teams compete in the semi-finals in the morning for a spot in Sunday afternoon's final.
The United States of America's women's team of Bree Scarbrough/Aurora Davis claimed their first World Tour gold medal after a thrilling 2-1 win (21-13, 17-21, 15-8) over Spain's Paula Soria Gutierrez/Maria Belen Carro Marquez de Acuna. Scarbrough/Davis commented, "They [Spain] were a really good team and it was just the sort of game we wanted, in the final. It was an amazing experience. Still kind of sinking in and really hungry for the next one and super excited!"
With the Spaniards taking home another silver medal for a second successive weekend, the bronze medal went to Manila Open winners, Japan's Ayumi Kusano/Takemi Nishibori after defeating Canadian twins of Megan and Nicole McNamara (21-15, 21-13).
The men's final saw a display of power by the Japanese duo of Takumi Takahashi/Yusuke "Gottsu" Ishijima defeating Austria's Florian Schnetzer/Daniel Mullner in straight sets (21-15, 21-14) for their first World Tour gold medal. Takahashi/Gottsu commented, "It was a great match! In our mind, we only had one mission -- to win and make Japan number 1. We were of one heart and played as one, which was our sole objective and we did it!
Taking the bronze medal were Spanish siblings, Alejandro and Javier Huerta Pastor after defeating Russia's Aleksandr Kramarenko/Taras Myskiv, 2-1 (21-18, 19-21, 18-16).
Andrew Ching, Chief Executive Officer of E-Plus Global, tournament promoters and organisers noted, "All the matches played on centre court today were incredibly exciting and close. Congratulations to all the teams that competed this weekend and in particular to the Japanese team Takahashi/Gottsu who were very dominant in their game against Austria. And what a wonderful contest for the gold in the women's contest. Congratulations to the Americans Scarbrough/Davis who after so many attempts finally made it to a World Tour event and came away on top as the champions! A superb ending to a great competition! Our thanks to all our partners, Thailand Volleyball Association and sponsors for an amazing Bangkok Open 2018!"
