Olympic and World Cup champion China have suffered their first defeat at the women's volleyball Grand Prix in Macao, losing to Brazil 3-0 in the final match.

The Brazilians, who beat China in five sets at the Swiss International final in June, defeated China 25-22, 25-19 and 25-17 to improve to a 3-3 record at the round-robin tournament.

China had won the first two matches of the tournament, taking the first match 3-2 over the United States on Friday, and downing Dominica 3-1 in the second match on Saturday.

The United States, led by Chinese coach Lang Ping, finished third in the tournament as they triumphed over Dominica 3-1.

The Chinese team will join Cuba, Azerbaijan and Poland in the next leg of the Grand Prix tournament in Beilun next month.

(CRI August 28, 2006)