OSAKA, Japan, Nov. 15 (Xinhuanet) -- China embraced its first volleyball World Cup title in 17 years after beating Japan 3-0 to finish the 2003 women's tournament with a perfect record.

    It also marked the first triumph of the Chinese women at the three major volleyball tournaments, namely the World Cup, the World Championships and the Olympics, since 1986, when China crowned at the World Championships in Czechslovakia.

    The Chinese women threw head coach Chen Zhonghe into the air before breaking into tears.

    China, who had secured a top two finish and a spot in the Athens Olympics in 2004 before Saturday, wound up the single round-robin tournament in style with the 25-18, 25-18 and 25-13 victory over the hosts.

    Roared on by 10,000 chanting and cheering home fans, The Japanese fought hardly against the powerful Chinese team. However,they were unable to stop the 1.96-meter Zhao Ruirui.

    The Chinese, winners at the World Grand Prix in Italy in Augustand the Asian Championship in Vietnam in October, completed their title hat-trick at international stage in 2003 with 11 straight wins at the two-week long tournament.

    Chinese fans have waited for 17 years to see the torch of the "Old Chinese Women's Volleyball Team", which had grabbed five straight titles in the three major tournaments in 1980s, handed tothe new generation.

    "We have been waiting so long for this moment," said Cui Miao, a 28-year-old Chinese student in Osaka. "I am so proud of the players, they are my heroes."

    Chinese captain Feng Kun, who was a two-year-old baby when China took its first ever World Cup title in 1981, could not hold back her joyful tears.

    "It's a dream comes true," Feng said. "I have been dreaming of winning the world championships for China since I began to play volleyball at ten."

    The opponents also lavished praises on the invincible China.

    "China is obviously the best team in the world," said Brazil head coach Jose Guimaraes. "Unfortunately we met them in the opening match."

    The Brazilians, who suffered their only loss at the tournament to China, finished second behind China with a 10-1 record.

    "They deserved to win the title," said Italy's head coach MarcoBonitta. "China is the strongest team in the world and they won everything this year.

    "They prepared best for the World Cup," Bonitta added. "They have good tactics, the players are experienced and they are mentally strong." Enditem