Australia's push for a third consecutive women's water polo Olympic medal continues to gather momentum with the Stingers claiming bronze in their final hit out before Rio.
The Stingers smashed China 10-3 in the third-place playoff at the super final of the FINA World League on Sunday night in Shanghai, rebounding from a two-point loss to Spain in the semi-finals.
Australia led the Chinese 3-2 at the end of the first quarter, but never looked challenged after shooting out to an 8-3 halftime lead.
"We defended really well in the first quarter and our attack was really fluid in the first half," coach Greg McFadden said.
"The second half while we only scored two goals, we were in complete control and it was a great hit out."
The Stingers also defeated Russia and Italy in their group matches, two teams they have been drawn against along with China at the August Olympics.
The Australian women won gold in water polo's first Olympic appearance at Sydney in 2000, before they lost 6-5 to the USA in the bronze medal match at Athens.
They have since won the bronze at both Beijing and London Olympics, and appear poised to challenge again after finishing fourth in last year's world championship.
World champions, the United States, defeated Spain 13-9 in the final of the Shanghai tournament.
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