Brazil overpowers host Japan to win volleyball Grand Champions Cup

October 29th, 2009 Silva assures Rio is capable of hosting OlympicsRIO DE JANEIRO — Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva says Rio de Janeiro is capable of hosting a safe 2016 Olympics and the city will show it deserved to win the games. At the launch of a gym and cultural center inside a city slum Wednesday, Silva said Rio will be ready for the Olympics despite a recent wave of violence that has killed more than 40 people, mostly gang members, after a police helicopter was downed Oct.

October 1st, 2009 Brazilian president says 'Yes we can' on 2016 bidCOPENHAGEN — Brazil's president is borrowing Barack Obama's "Yes we can" catchphrase to plug Rio de Janeiro's bid to host the 2016 Olympics. A day before the International Olympic Committee selects the 2016 host, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva insisted Wednesday that Rio is ready "body and soul" if picked.

September 30th, 2009 Beach players want autonomy within USA VolleyballBeach volleyball players who say they're given second-class status in their own national governing body are asking USA Volleyball to restructure and give them more control over their sport. The long-simmering feud became a concern this summer when the international volleyball federation turned control of the Olympic qualifying over to the governing bodies in each country.

September 16th, 2009 Gold medalists reunite for beach volleyball tourTwo-time Olympic gold medalist Misty May-Treanor will return next weekend to the domestic beach volleyball tour, where she will be reunited with teammate Kerri Walsh. May-Treanor, who injured her Achilles' tendon while practicing for "Dancing with the Stars" last October, will join Walsh for the Sept.

September 16th, 2009 Olympic beach volleyball gold medal team reunitedTwo-time Olympic gold medalist Misty May-Treanor will return next weekend to the domestic beach volleyball tour, where she will be reunited with teammate Kerri Walsh. May-Treanor, who injured her Achilles' tendon while practicing for "Dancing with the Stars" last October, will join Walsh for the Sept.

August 2nd, 2009 US defeats Japan 2-0 in Japan Cup softball finalSENDAI, Japan — Jennie Finch has thrown a one-hitter and driven in two runs to lead the United States to a 2-0 victory over Japan in the final of the Japan Cup softball tournament. Finch doubled in two runs in the bottom of the first inning on Sunday, and then struck out eight and walked just one batter in a 97-pitch effort.

July 31st, 2009 US downs Australia in Japan Cup softballSENDAI, Japan — Natasha Watley and Jenae Leles drove in three runs each to lead the United States to an 11-3 win over Australia on Friday in the Japan Cup softball tournament. The Americans took a 9-0 lead over the first three innings before the game was called after the fifth inning under the tournament's mercy rule.

July 28th, 2009 England gets Rugby World Cup in 2015, Japan 2019DUBLIN — England will host the Rugby World Cup in 2015 and Japan will get the 2019 tournament. Tuesday's announcement by the International Rugby Board was widely expected.

July 14th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Pune will host the men's under-21 World Volleyball tournament from July 31. Sixteen teams will be participating in the tournament, which will be played at the Balewadi Sports Complex and final the will be held Aug 9.

July 7th, 2009 Toyota to pull out of hosting 2010 Japan GP TOKYO — Toyota-owned Fuji International Speedway said Tuesday it will pull out of hosting the 2010 Japanese Formula One Grand Prix and beyond because of the prolonged economic slump. "It has become extremely difficult for us to host the F1 Grand Prix as we face the deteriorating economic environment and see few signs showing a swift economic recovery," Fuji Speedway said in a statement.

July 5th, 2009 Germans win men's beach volleyball worldsSTAVANGER, Norway — Julius Brink and Jonas Reckermann of Germany have beaten top-seeded Brazilians Harley and Alison in straight sets 21-16, 21-19 to win the men's final at the World Beach Volleyball Championships. Top-seeded April Ross and Jennifer Kessy of the United States edged third-seeded Brazilians Larissa and Juliana 30-28, 23-21 in the women's final, also on Sunday.

June 18th, 2009 PRETORIA - Brazilian striker Robinho is hoping that his side will put behind their dismal show in the opening round of Confederation Cup football against Egypt as they gear up for their title defence here. The Manchester City player noted that Brazil "have already got over the tension" of their debut match, in which they just managed to scrape a 4-3 win through a goal from the penalty spot in the last minute.

June 15th, 2009 Brazil president touts Rio for 2016 GamesGENEVA — Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva urged the IOC to break new ground by awarding the 2016 Summer Games to Rio de Janeiro. "The Olympic Games cannot be kept by the rich countries," Silva said Monday before this week's presentations to the International Olympic Committee.

June 6th, 2009 Japan is 1st qualifier for 2010 World CupTASHKENT, Uzbekistan — Japan has become the first country to qualify for soccer's 2010 World Cup by beating Uzbekistan 1-0 in a qualifier. Japan advanced with two games to spare and will be appearing in its fourth straight World Cup.

June 5th, 2009 Volleyball hit by 2nd cancellation in GulfLAUSANNE, Switzerland — A second volleyball tournament in the Persian Gulf has been called off due to the recession. World governing body FIVB said on Friday that a beach volleyball World Tour event for men and women scheduled for Oct.