Australian Pair Upsets Brazilians

Australia’s Natalie Cook and Kerri Pottharst upgraded their bronze to gold.

Cheered by a frenzied crowd at Bondi Beach, Cook and Pottharst came from behind twice today to defeat Brazil’s Adriana Behar and Shelda Bede, 12-11, 12-10, to win the gold medal in beach volleyball.

The bronze medalists from the first Olympic beach volleyball competition in 1996 delighted the dancing, screaming throng with inspired play, diving for every shot and finally overcoming the Brazilian world champions.

Earlier, Brazilians Sandra Pires and Adriana Samuel won their second Olympic medal, defeating Yukiko Takahashi and Teru Saiki of Japan, 12-4, 12-6, to take the bronze.

Cook and Pottharst came back from an 11-8 deficit with four consecutive points to win the first game.

Bede and Behar recovered in the second game, improving their passing and shot-making to jump to leads of 7-3 and 8-5. Once again, the Australians came back, with Pottharst desperately saving a Bede smash with her right fist, then smashing the set-up from Cook to tie it at eight. They trailed again, 10-8, before winning.