IN BRIEF (Page 22)

Beach volleyball

Chinese beat Brazilian pair

China's Chen Xue and Zhang Xi beat Brazilian pair Ana Paula and Shelda 21-15, 21-12 last Sunday to win the Seoul leg of beach volleyball's world circuit.

The final lasted only 41 minutes.

The silver medal is the Brazilian pair's best finish since forming the team. Their goal is to land one of Brazil's two Olympic spots for women's beach volleyball.

In the bronze medal match, Brazilians Juliana and Larissa lost to Americans Nicole Branagh and Elaine Youngs, 21-19, 13-21, 15-7.

Golf

Beijing to hold Pro-Am

The "World-wind Cup" Pro-Am Golf Challenge will get underway from May 29 to June 1 at the Tian'an Holiday Sports Club in Beijing.

Organized by the China Golf Association (CGA) and China Unicom, the tournament will begin its third year. It has helped develop a rising group of amateurs by pairing them with some of the nation's top pro golfers.

About 100 pro golfers will play in this tournament, said Zhang Xiaoning, vice-president of CGA.

"Two pros will partner with two amateurs and compete as a group. This kind of format has been very popular in golf competitions all over the world as it is a very good chance to improve the levels of amateurs."

Total prize money has reached 2.1 million yuan ($300,000) this year and organizers have promised to increase the check in following years to attract more golfers.

Soccer

Champions League postponed

CHANGCHUN, Jilin province: The AFC Champions League match between Chinese Super League champion Changchun Yatai and Australia's Adelaide United has been postponed until today for mourning the quake victims in China.

The match, pre-scheduled for May 21, was put off as China started a three-day national mourning for earthquake victims from Monday, according to the announcement from the Chinese Football Association.

Miscellaneous

Anta opens flagship store

Chinese sportswear producer Anta's flagship store on Beijing's Wangfujing Street opened to the public on May 17. Opening-day sales reached 100,000 yuan ($14,300), all of which was donated to the Wenchuan earthquake victims. Anta (China) Co Ltd had previously donated cash and relief materials worth more than 10 million yuan ($1.4 million).

The store is the sixth flagship store in China. As of March, Anta boasted 4,868 outlets in the country.

For seven consecutive years, sales of Anta sports shoes have topped the market list in China. Besides actively participating in public welfare undertakings, Anta is also an active sports sponsor of CBA basketball, table tennis and volleyball leagues.

(China Daily 05/22/2008 page22)