Osaka returns to the international Beach Volleyball calendar as the 2009 stop will tie Rio de Janeiro in staging the most SWATCH FIVB World Tour events.  After a two-year absences, the SWATCH women's circuit returned to the middle of Osaka by staging its 13th event.  Dubbed Japan’s "second city", Osaka has hosted the most international Beach Volleyball stops since the start of the women’s FIVB circuit in 1992. The French Mediterranean port city of Marseille ranks second on the list with 11 events.  Rio de Janeiro tops the men’s list with 14 SWATCH FIVB World Tour events since the start of the men’s circuit in 1987. After teams from the United States and Australia combined to win the first three Osaka stops, Brazilian tandems have won the last 10 events led by legendary pair of Shelda Bede and Adriana Behar.  After placing third in 1997, Shelda and Adriana won six of the next eight Osaka events as the South Americans placed second in 2003 and third in 2005. Shaylyn Bede, Shelda’s younger sister, captured the 2005 Osaka gold medal with Ana Paula Connelly, who teamed with Sandra Pires to defeat Shelda and Adriana for the 2003 crown. Juliana Felisberta Silva and Larissa Franca captured the 2008 crown.  The best finish by the host country was a silver medal in 2000 by Mika Teru Saiki and Yukiko Takahashi, who finished fourth at the Sydney Olympic Games for Japan.  Osaka is as an attractive, user friendly city and several new museums and other attractions have been added in recent times, all of which have helped to add to the overall cultural feel of the place. Leafy promenades abound beside fresh water and many people enjoy strolling along the riverbanks and relaxing in scenic splendor. Furthermore, each summer one can enjoy the amazement of what is known as the ‘Tenjin Matsuri’, a spectacular sailing festival containing decorated ships.  Pictured below are 2008 champions Larissa (left) and Juliana watches the action.