Vanuatu's Olympic beach volleyball dream is over for another three years after an opening round defeat at the Asian Continental Cup Final in Thailand.
The top pairing of Miller Pata and Sherysyn Toko were beaten in three sets
by Japan's Akiko Hasegawa and Azusa Futami 19-21, 21-19, 7-15.
Sherysyn Toko and Miller Pata in action at the Asian Continental Cup Final in Thailand. Photo: Asian Volleyball Confederation
Meanwhile Vanuatu's second team of Loti Joe and Majabelle Lawac went down in straight sets, 10-21, 17-21, against Chiyo Suzuki and Yurika Sakaguch.
The result bring an end to Vanautu's Tokyo 2020 qualification journey, while Japan advance to the final four in the women's draw, with the winner securing the final berth at next month's Summer Games.
Loti Joe and Majabelle Lawac were beaten in straight sets by Japan. Photo: Asian Volleyball Confederation
While Vanuatu's Olympic dream remains on hold, the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham are just 13 months away, with the Pacific nation hoping to equal or better their bronze medal effort from 2018.