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China successfully defended their Asian Women's Sevens Championship title with a comfortable 26-10 victory over Kazakhstan in the final in Guangzhou, writes the IRB.

Thirteen nations took part in the two day tournament with Korea and Philippines making their debut and reflecting the growth in Asian Sevens.

The tournament also served as a test event for the Asian Games in Guangzhou on 21-23 November, which will include a women's event alongside the men's for the first time with the hosts a favourite to claim the first gold medal.

China's successful defence of the title they first won in Thailand last year was never in doubt after they scored early in the final against Kazakhstan, Asia's representatives at Women's Rugby World Cup 2010 next month.

Kazakhstan's entire 12-strong squad in Guangzhou will travel to England for Women's Rugby World Cup 2010, which begins on 20 August and will see Asia's top 15-a-side team face the hosts, Ireland and USA in Pool B.

The two finalists had looked impressive on day one, China overcoming the challenge of Hong Kong 39-7 and the Philippines 36-0 to top Pool A as Kazakhstan shut out Singapore 34-0 and India 36-0 in Pool C.

The two other Pool winners were Thailand, who overcame Chinese Taipei 36-0 and Korea 47-0, in Pool B and a relatively untested Japanese team beating Malaysia 52-0, Laos 48-0 and Uzbekistan 22-12.

Only Thailand conceded any points in their quarter final as the fancied sides all reached the last four, where China would play 2008 winners Japan and Kazakhstan face the Thais for a place in the title decider.

China, the Bowl winners at RWC Sevens 2009 in Dubai, overcame a plucky Japanese outfit who had come into the tournament unseeded after not playing in last year's Asian Women's Sevens Championship 19-7 with Kazakhstan then ending Thailand's hopes with a 25-10 success.

Thailand bounced back from that disappointment to beat Japan 19-0 to claim the bronze medal with the remaining places from fifth occupied by Hong Kong, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Uzbekistan, Philippines, Malaysia, India, Laos and Korea.