A 17-year-old Chinese badminton player, Zhang Zhijie, tragically passed away after collapsing on court during an international tournament in Indonesia. Badminton officials confirmed the news on Monday.
Zhang Zhijie fell ill during a match late Sunday against Japan’s Kazuma Kawano at the Asian Junior Badminton Mixed Team Championships held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The score was tied at 11-11 in the first game when Zhang suddenly collapsed.
Emergency medical assistance was immediately provided. A doctor and medical team were quickly on the scene, and Zhang was taken to the hospital by ambulance within minutes. Despite their swift response and efforts to save him, Zhang passed away at 23:20 local time on Sunday.
In a joint statement released on Monday, Badminton Asia and the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) conveyed the tragic news. "China’s Zhang Zhijie, a singles player, collapsed on the court during a match in the evening. He was sent to the hospital where he passed away at 23:20 local time yesterday. He was attended to by the tournament doctor and medical team. He was taken in the standby ambulance in less than two minutes and sent to hospital."
The statement continued, "Badminton Asia, PBSI and the organising committee are immensely saddened and expressed their deepest condolences to Zhang’s parents, family, and the Chinese Badminton Association."
The world of badminton mourns the loss of a talented young player whose potential and passion for the sport were evident. Zhang Zhijie's untimely death is a poignant reminder of the unpredictable nature of life and the importance of swift medical intervention in sports.
The international badminton community joins in expressing their sorrow and support for Zhang’s family and teammates during this difficult time. His memory will remain in the hearts of those who knew him and admired his dedication to the sport.
