China won the gold medal in the Olympic women's volleyball competition on Saturday, beating Russia 3-2.

After Russia took the first two sets in marathon battles, 2003 World Cup winners China clawed their way back for a hard-fought 28-30, 25-27, 25-20, 25-23, 15-12 win.

Russia, silver medallists in Sydney four years ago, held off one match point but Yuehong Zhang spiked a winner past Russian blockers to win the match.

Cuba won the bronze medal, beating Brazil 3-1.

The Cubans, gold medallists at the past three Olympics, triumphed 25-22, 25-22, 14-25, 25-17.

After the Cubans won the first two sets, Brazil picked up their defence and serving to win the third set. But Cuba shot to a 6-1 lead in the fourth set and never let Brazil gain control.

Captain Yumilka Ruiz Luaces and Nancy Carrillo de la Paz were key players in the Cuban win.