Olympics-Volleyball-Japan claim first win in 29 years, Iran beat Poland in epic clash

Tokyo 2020 Olympics -Volleyball - Men's Pool A - Japan v Venezuela - Ariake Arena, Tokyo, Japan – July 24, 2021. Haku Ri of Japan celebrates with teammates. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

TOKYO (Reuters) - Hosts Japan began their men's volleyball campaign with their first victory at the Olympics in 29 years while Iran edged Poland in a five-set epic in their Pool A openers at an empty Ariake Arena on Saturday.

Japan's win over Venezuela in straight sets was their first since the 1992 Barcelona Games and they were led from the front by Yuki Ishikawa (15 points) and 19-year-old Ran Takahashi (11 points) who delivered a barrage of spikes.