The American duo of Kerri Walsh and Misty May beat Brazil's Adriana Behar and Shelda Bede 21-17, 21-11 to win the women's beach volleyball gold medal at the Olympic Games here on Tuesday.

Misty May and Kerri Walsh of the U.S. win the gold medal in the women's beach volleyball competition against Adriana/ Shelda from Brazil at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games August 24, 2004.

Americans Holly McPeak and Elaine Youngs beat Australia's Natalie Cook and Nicole Sanderson 21-18, 15-21, 15-9 to win the bronze.

U.S. win bronze medal

Holly McPeak and Eliane Youngs of United States captured the women's bronze medal in Athens Olympic beach volleyball tournament here Tuesday.

The United States pair defeated Australians Natalie Cook and Nicole Sanderson 21-18, 15-21, 15-9.

The Americans jumped to a 5-1 lead and gradually pushed it to 20-18. Youngs powered her spike down the middle to finish the set 21-18.

The second set was interrupted by Cook's shoulder's injury for five minutes, but the Australians were motivated afterward and won the set by 21-15, even Cook's right arm could not move agilely.

Cook and Sanderson tried to pump themselves up for the third set but Cook's injury greatly influenced their performance while Cook, who had 20 successful digs and 12 points in the opening two sets, scored only one point and four digs in the final set.

Olympic women's beach volleyball results

Following are the results from Olympic beach volleyball tournament here Tuesday:

Women's final:

Kerri Walsh/Misty May, United States, bt Adriana Behar/Shelda Bede, Brazil, 21-17, 21-11

Bronze medal match:

Holly McPeak/Elaine Youngs, United States, bt Natalie Cook/ Nicole Sanderson, Australia, 21-18, 15-21, 15-9.