World No.1 Brazil defeated Italy 3-2 in Tokyo on Sunday, clinching their gold medal in FIVB Men's Grand Champions Cup for the fourth time after 1999, 2005, and 2009. Russia and Italy settled for silver and bronze separately.

Brazil defeated Italy in an epic five-set battle (25-22, 25-22, 23-25, 20-25, 15-11) to claim the victory. The match marked the third time that Brazil and Italy have met in the World Grand Champions Cup and 51st overall. Brazil entered with a 30-20 lead all time.

The Brazilian teams completed a clean sweep of the Men's and Women's Grand Champions Cup titles to re-assert their role as the world's leading volleyball force, just like what they had done in 2005.

Though having lost to Brazil, Italy completed the podium for yet another bronze medal after they had finished in third place at London 2012.

In another game, Russia beat the US in straight sets (29-27, 25-22, 25-19) to capture the silver medal.

As the host nation, Japan's performance was disappointed, as they lost all the five rounds of matches.

Dmitriy Muserskiy from Russia was awarded the most valuable player.

Agencies - Global Times