Brazil, China take volleyball titles

Brazil’s men’s volleyball team defeated Italy in straight sets on Sunday to win their third gold medal in the sport. The Brazilians had lost to the Italians in a preliminary match but won the final 25-22 28-26 26-24, handing Italy its third silver medal. Brazil won gold in 2004 when it beat Italy in Athens. In the bronze-medal match,  the United States recovered to defeat defending champions Russia in a titanic five-set battle. The US lost the first two sets but came back to win 23-25 21-25 25-19 25-19 15-13, with an ace in the tie-breaker by top scorer Matt Anderson helping to seal the victory. Meanwhile, China’s young women’s volleyball team overcame a surging Serbian side in four sets to take their country’s third Olympic gold medal in the sport. 

Rohler wins gold in javelin throw

Germany’s Thomas Rohler took the gold in the men’s javelin with a best throw of 90.30m. Kenya’s world champion Julius Yego threw 88.24m on his first attempt, a season best and good enough to hold the lead until the penultimate round when Rohler unleashed his massive throw. A limping Yego then retired from the competition having faulted on two of his previous throws. Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago threw 85.38m on his second attempt. He needed a personal best on his last throw to bump Rohler from the gold medal position but produced a no throw and finished with bronze.