Brazil secured a hard-fought bronze medal at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship after edging Japan in a nail-biting five-set battle.
The South Americans, still reeling from a heartbreaking semifinal defeat to Italy, bounced back with resilience and heart to seal a 3-2 (25-12, 25-17, 19-25, 27-29, 18-16) victory in Bangkok. The triumph marked Brazil’s sixth medal in the tournament’s history.
Leading the charge on court was captain Gabriela “Gabi” Guimarães, who delivered a masterclass performance with 35 points (33 kills, one block, one ace). Teammate Júlia Bergmann added 13, while Rosamaria Montibeller chipped in with 11.
Japan fought valiantly, pushed forward by the brilliance of Yoshino Sato, who scored 34 points with an all-around display of power and precision. Captain Mayu Ishikawa contributed 23 kills, while Yukiko Wada finished with 13.
Statistically, Brazil’s blocking proved decisive, registering 15 points to Japan’s six, while Japan led in total kills, 75-68. Costly errors, however, haunted the Asian side, with 26 mistakes compared to Brazil’s 13.
Reflecting on the win, Gabi said: “We couldn’t leave Thailand without stepping on the podium. This match was about pride, resilience, and fighting for each other. I’m proud of the team’s mental strength.”
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