American May-Treanor/Walsh claim beach volleyball gold

Source: Xinhua | 08-21-2008 14:06

BEIJING, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- Defending champions Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh of the United States captured the Beijing Olympic beach volleyball gold medal on Thursday.

Kerri Walsh (L) and Misty May-Treanor of U.S. kiss their gold medals  on the podium during the victory ceremony of women's gold medal  match of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games beach volleyball event  in Beijing, China, Aug. 21, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

The American pair defeated China's Tian Jia and Wang Jie 21-17 and 21-18 in the final. The Chinese duo got the silver medal.

The two sides traded points in the first set to 17-17 before the U.S. duo reap four points in a row to win the first set 21-17.

In the second set, the Americans led at the beginning while the Chinese came from behind and traded points for a tit-for-tat battle. After the visitors reach the match point 20-18, a dink spike by the U.S. duo finished the gold medal match.

"It was such a tough match, their serves were so strong. But we wanted to win and we won the match," said Walsh after the match.

Kerri Walsh (L) and Misty May-Treanor of the U.S. celebrate after  they won the women's gold medal match of the Beijing 2008 Olympic  Games beach volleyball event in Beijing, China, Aug. 21, 2008.  (Xinhua Photo)