China Sweeps Anapa Men’s Podium, Russia Takes Women’s Medals

Anapa One Star

• Beach Sports Center; Anapa, Russia
• July 4-8, 2018
• Schedule/Results

It was an all Russian semifinal field on the women’s side, while the Chinese dominated the four-team field in men’s action at the Anapa One Star on Sunday.

In the end, Nadezda Makroguzova/Svetlana Kholomina bested Daria Mastikova/Anastasia Petrunina in straight sets (21-13, 21-15) for the women’s title and their first ever FIVB medal.

“We are very happy, especially since this is our first medal this season,” Makroguzova said. “I am especially happy that we remained focused and achieved our goal – the victory.”

The runners up at the Under 21 World Championships in 2017 and reigning U22 champions, Makroguzova/Kholomina made the finals after topping countrywomen Ekaterina Birlova/Evgenia Ukolova in tiebreak in the semifinals.

Mastikova/Petrunina edged past Ksenia Dabizha/Yulia Abalakina in the other semifinal (21-19 15-21, 15-12).

Birlova/Ukolova went on to finish third with a straight set win (21-19, 21-17) over Dabizha/Abalakina. The bronze marked the first ever FIVB World Tour medal for the pair, which was playing in just its fourth event.

On the men’s side, China’s Ha Likejiang/Wu Jiaxin topped countrymen Li Zhouxin/Zhou Chaowei in tiebreak for the gold medal (15-21, 21-81, 15-13). The title victory gave the Likejiang/Jiaxin their first ever FIVB World Tour podium finish.

Peng Gao/Yang Li bested Russia’s Ivan Golovin/Taras Myskiv (21-16, 17-21, 15-12) to round out the Chinese podium sweep.

In the semifinals, Zhuoxin/Zhou rallied past the Russians 15-21, 21-18, 15-13, while Likejiang/Jiaixin won via forfeit.

Women’s Semifinals

Mastikova/Petrunina def. Dabizha/Abalakina 21-19, 16-21, 15-12

Makroguzova/Koholmina def. Birlova/Ukolova 18-21, 21-18, 15-11

Women’s Bronze

Birlova/Ukolova def. Dabizha/Abalakina 21-19, 21-17

Women’s Gold

Makroguzova/Kholomina def. Mastikova/Petrunina 21-13, 21-15

Men’s Semifinals

Li Zhuoxin/Zhou def. Golovin/Myskiv 15-21, 21-18, 15-13

Likejiang/Jiaxin def. Gao/Li via forfeit

Men’s Bronze

Gao/Li def. Golovin/Myskiv 21-16, 17-21, 15-12

Men’s Gold

Likejiang/Jiaxin def. Zhuoxin/Zhou 21-9, 19-21, 15-9